Giving back to our communities
As part of the Group’s Better Places 2030 CSR strategy, we are strongly committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate.
Corporate Social Responsibility is a core part of our company culture. Throughout the year, our employees take part in the URW Volunteering Programme across a range of initiatives.
For our annual URW Community Day, a host of activities took place all around the world as our teams rolled up their sleeves and concretely contributed to the needs of their neighbouring associations and charitable organisations.
Among 100 initiatives that took place in 12 countries around the world, more than 1,200 URW employees took part in activities to boost the well-being of their communities. Hours were donated to initiatives supporting local employment; maintaining and cleaning up community areas; and distributing food and other essential materials to people in need. Other volunteers took part in building and renovating community centres, tending to parks and natural habitats, supporting charities and helping young people with disabilities, among so many more worthy activities.
URW Community Day in 2021
initiatives globally
employees volunteered
hours donated to worthy causes
Watch some highlights from our community initiatives in 2021
Community-oriented actions year-long
Throughout the year, teams at URW contributed to the health and social well-being of their communities in a number of other ways, including:
- URW Germany cooperated with the Sheltersuit Foundation to distribute 100 sets of protective, warm clothing to homeless people in 15 cities across Germany. At the same time, we launched an extensive online and offline information offer in the participating shopping centres to educate and raise awareness around the topic and to call for further donations. The activity was a success and will be expanded in 2022.
- In Solna Stad, in Sweden, teams focussed three days of community work on beautifying and caring for various green spaces. The tasks varied from gardening and painting to disassembling and recycling old bicycle parts. Supporting the local municipality’s cultural environments was a great honour – and great fun, too.
- Westfield Chodov in the Czech Republic prepared a Christmas Eve dinner for those who would otherwise be alone or could not afford to celebrate the occasion. Together, they enjoyed an evening joy, love and happiness – right in the middle of the centre.
- Teams in the US helped put together more than 400 snack packs at the URW corporate office for an organisation called My Friend’s Place that offers a comprehensive continuum of services to homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 25. The charity helps homeless young people to move toward wellness, stability and self-sufficiency.
