Dow Sustainability Corps: Putting Commitments Into Action
The world is experiencing complex environmental, economic and social challenges today. But each day, people around the world work tirelessly to break down barriers and deliver solutions. The Dow Sustainability Corps, a powerful idea developed in 2008, is doing just that – putting Dow’s sustainability commitments into action.
The Dow Sustainability Corps matches interested, capable employees with non-government organizations (NGOs), social entrepreneurs and government agencies that need support for sustainable development projects, especially in emerging geographies and areas of growth for Dow. Employees who participate in these development assignments are expected to deliver results as they would in their daily company roles and assignments.
Achieving Sustainability Goals, Helping People in Need
“Dow employees are known for their can-do spirit and technical expertise,” said Michael Webster, senior program manager, Corporate Citizenship. “At the same time, Dow is committed to achieving its 2015 Sustainability Goals. This idea to harness our professional skills and capabilities and apply them in assisting organizations that are working on world challenges just made sense to us.”
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Dow employees who have taken assignments as part of the Dow Sustainability Corps use their time, professional skills and knowledge to devise solutions to world challenges and contribute to improving the lives of those in need in communities around the world.
The assignments take different forms. In some cases, an employee might consult virtually on a solution or travel to a location to work day-to-day on a project for a two-to-three-month period. Employees who take these assignments have a finite task and timetable to achieve the intended results.
The benefits are numerous. NGOs and governments in emerging areas get much needed help. Employees gain a better understanding of problems and business opportunities while developing leadership skills and other capabilities. Dow’s reputation is enhanced with employees, NGOs, governments and the general public because employees are making a positive difference and Dow is realizing its goals.
Completed Projects
Artemisinin Anti-Malarial Drug Development (Kenya)
- Partnered with Acumen Fund, a venture philanthropy firm, and Botanical Extracts EPZ Ltd.
- Deployed a Dow pharmaceutical business process engineer to provide pharmaceutical protein extraction technology assessment for an anti-malarial drug being developed from the artemisinin plant
- Developed a list of recommendations related to production optimization, capital requirements and process safety
Bankers without Borders (India)
- Partnered with Accenture and Grameen Foundation
- Deployed an Information Technology (IT) employee to identify a financial management solution that fits the needs of microfinance institutions as they scaled up the number of loans in their portfolios
- A variety of financial management, accounting and IT considerations had to be met while ensuring the solution was compatible with existing loan portfolio management systems
NGO Development and Support (Washington, D.C.)
- Supported Global Water Challenge (GWC), an NGO conducting awareness building, fundraising and project implementation funding for water in Africa (Dow is a founding member of GWC)
- Deployed an MBA employee with experience in NGO operations to develop strategic planning, organizational development and support; assignment occurred one day a week for an extended period
Hydraid BioSand Filter (Dominican Republic)
- Partnered with Accenture, Cascade Engineering and International Aid (an NGO)
- An employee provided supply chain expertise and support to a project where the team designed and implemented a business model and distribution channel in the Dominican Republic for biosand water filters made in plastic rather than in cement
- The result of the project greatly expanded the potential reach of this water purification technology
Current Projects
Web-Based Fundraising (Honduras)
- Partnering with Central America Outreach (CAMO), a medical refurbishing and redistribution NGO, and Executives without Borders
- Deployed a Public Affairs employee to support the creation of a web-based fundraising campaign to strengthen the sustainability of CAMO
Micro-Finance Opportunity Assessment (Latin America and Caribbean)
- Partnering with the Grameen Foundation and Bankers without Borders
- Employees from several functions conducting a comprehensive review of micro-financing opportunities in Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Peru to determine the value chain strategies for this region
Projects in Development
PET Recycling (Haiti)
- To partner with USAID, CHF International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Executives without Borders
- Due to earthquake relief efforts, the number of empty PET water bottles has become an environmental problem – Haiti has limited infrastructure and business development resources, especially after the earthquake, to deal with the issue
- Project will:
- Develop a cost-effective business model for sourcing Safetouch™ fiberglass-free insulation- Potential exists to leverage the developed model to other parts of the world
Education and Vocational Training (Tanzania)
- To partner with Accenture and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT)
- Due to a teacher shortfall in Tanzania, MoEVT has proposed to supplement the existing curriculum with digital content that can be used in technology-enabled classrooms throughout the country; check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUnkqCPlb7k
- Project will:
- Develop a plan for appropriate technology and infrastructure design to support MoEVT’s objectives for technology-enabled secondary education- Develop change management and capacitybuilding recommendations for the plan