Making a difference together
Whether through fundraising campaigns, joint projects, or hands-on work assignments: STIHL as a company and the STIHL workforce are committed to social and cultural projects around the world. Examples of these include helping disadvantaged young people to receive high-quality training, supporting economic interactions with developing countries, and promoting inclusion. All of which illustrates that STIHL sees itself as an active part of society and is willing to take on social responsibility.
STIHL is committed to helping SOS Children’s Villages e. V.
In recent years, STIHL employees have been involved in a number of fundraising campaigns for SOS Children’s Villages in crisis regions. The company supports this commitment and adds to the donated amounts. STIHL is also actively tackling problems in Germany too: STIHL employees in SOS Children’s Villages help maintain green areas in the village by means of voluntary work assignments. The sponsorship agreement between our subsidiary STIHL Tyrol and SOS Children’s Villages in Austria has been in place since 2004. In recent years STIHL Tyrol has been assisting numerous SOS Children’s Village facilities both in Austria and internationally. In addition, the company supports Children’s Villages throughout Austria with in-kind donations.
Monetary and in-kind donations during the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2020, STIHL once again supported SOS Children’s Villages Württemberg, including by making a donation of EUR 5,000 to create better conditions for home schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. This financial donation was supplemented with personal protective equipment which helps the charity to comply with safety and hygiene regulations. The team from SOS Children’s Villages very kindly expressed their thanks in a video message.
Developing young specialists to work in one of the most important botanical gardens in the world
The Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is among the most important of its kind in the world. At more than 200 years old, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, as it is called in Portuguese, provides habitat for several thousand species, some of which are at risk. STIHL Brazil is supporting the Pró-Florescer project in collaboration with the Botanical Garden Research Institute, the Court of Justice of the state of Rio de Janeiro and the Association of Friends of the Botanical Garden. Every year, Pró-Florescer trains 20 to 30 young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to become park managers, gardeners and administrators. During the training the young adults are provided with free accommodation, food and clothing, as well as pocket money.
Giving young people a chance
As well as offering specialist training, the project also develops participants’ sense of community inclusion, initiative and self-confidence. A team of specialists, teachers and psychologists supports the training and guides the newly trained professionals in their subsequent job search. The botanical garden also benefits from the actions of Pró-Florescer, as it gains access to additional workers – equipped with STIHL products. STIHL Brazil has been involved as a project partner since the early 1990s. Every year STIHL funds ten training placements and supports the project with numerous in-kind donations, such as battery tools and protective clothing.
Afrika kommt! New perspectives for sustainable collaboration
STIHL has been supporting the “Afrika kommt!” project since 2015. This initiative brings junior managers from sub-Saharan Africa to Germany for one year, during which they complete a three-month language course and a nine-month placement with a German partner company. The visiting participants are supported by a mentor throughout the period of their professional placement, during which they gain insights into German work processes and management methods.
Learning from one another through exchange
The initiative is intended not just to benefit the individual managers, but to be a cornerstone for sustainable economic collaboration with Africa, and ultimately to facilitate the creation of an international network. The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is responsible for organization and implementation. STIHL sees great potential in this project, as these junior managers from countries throughout Africa bring with them new ways of thinking and new perspectives. The company maintains contact with candidates after placements finish, and finds the opportunity for cultural and professional exchange to be of great value.
Together we are strong: Inclusive sport
Sport is a great unifier – that is the idea which inspired the establishment of Special Olympics Germany in 1991. The aim of the event is to get people who have mental or multiple disabilities to be excited about sports while also empowering them to take an active role in society And so it’s not all about winning medals – it is just as important to embody a zest for life and sporting enjoyment, and in doing so enhancing independence and quality of life. STIHL has provided support to Special Olympics Rhineland-Palatinate since 2006.
Committed to inclusion
Inclusion is an issue very close to STIHL’s heart. Together with Special Olympics, we want to promote greater acceptance of people with disabilities. Around 1,300 athletes compete in 14 sports at the state games, demonstrating how sport transcends boundaries and breaks down barriers.
