Case stories / Atlas Copco and employees fund clean drinking water across the world
Atlas Copco and employees fund clean drinking water across the world
Atlas Copco strives to be a good and responsible corporate citizen, recognizing that a real long-term commitment to the customer also means taking care of the surrounding society. To this end, the Group encourages its employees to engage in philanthropy; supporting orphanages, helping victims of natural disasters or working for a better environment.
The most widespread activity is Water for All, a non-profit organization managed by Atlas Copco employees. Operating under the motto ‘Clean drinking water is a human right,’ Water for All seeks to alleviate the severe problems caused by water shortages and deficient sanitation. More than 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and millions – many of them children – die each year from water-related diseases.
Founded in 1984 by Atlas Copco employees in Sweden, Water for All has funded projects across the world, in countries ranging from Peru to Malawi and Afghanistan. Through installing water pumps in schools and villages and protecting springs, sustainable water supplies have been created for more than one million people. The funds are raised through monthly member donations, which are matched by Atlas Copco.
Following an expanded commitment by the Atlas Copco Group to support employees in any country wishing to establish local Water for All organizations, the concept has been adopted in several places. Water for All organizations now exist, besides Sweden, in Belgium, China, Germany, India, Italy, the UK, the U.S, South Africa, and Spain.
The project in China was established in 2009, quickly gaining a large group of members. Nearly 2 600 employees joined, which together with contributions from Atlas Copco and the partnering aid organization PLAN International created a project fund expected to grow to roughly SEK 2.4 million. The money will allow 15 000 villagers, including over 3 000 children, in ten villages to benefit from improvements in clean water supply and sanitation, before the middle of 2011.
