Strengthening communities Making a positive impact on the communities we touch

To truly strengthen the most vulnerable communities, we must get to the root cause of these complex challenges. We have worked in partnership with C&A Foundation,^[1] and now with Laudes Foundation, to address industry challenges and engage others on the journey with us. We maintain volunteer programmes that support local charities, offer in-store giving opportunities so our customers can play a role in supporting community charities, seek to change perceptions, and drive societal change. We are also partnering with Save the Children and Laudes Foundation to help communities become more resilient and respond to disasters.

^[1] In January 2020, C&A Foundation became part of Laudes Foundation.

Building on the achievements of C&A Foundation

Over the past five years, C&A Foundation^[2] has done outstanding work, creating networks, strengthening partnerships, and supporting projects that create lasting and positive change in global fashion. Building on that success, but recognising that the industry’s problems are driven by deep, systemic issues, Laudes Foundation was launched in 2020. This new foundation incorporates and advances the work of C&A Foundation, but has a remit on accelerating the transition to an inclusive economy. Specifically, Laudes Foundation will work to positively influence capital and tackle issues in the fashion industry and the built environment.

Helping children and families across the world

Over the course of the five years, C&A Foundation^[3] provided funding of over €16 million to Save the Children. In 2019 the partnership reached nearly 2 million people, of whom more than 1.1 million are children.

The Children’s Emergency Fund is a fund to which different donors contribute throughout the year, so that it exists before an emergency occurs. This prepositioned funding allows Save the Children to initiate the first response within 48 hours after a crisis occurs, which immediately saves lives and alleviates suffering of the affected population. In this way, the Fund has an immediate and direct impact on the lives of the most vulnerable children and their families. The goal of the Children’s Emergency Fund was to raise at least €1.6 million in its first year of operation, with an annual target of €2.5 million by 2021. Since the Fund started in October 2018, it has raised over € 2.5 million to support children in need and their families following emergencies.

Emergency and disaster relief

Through our Global Emergency Response programme with C&A and Save the Children, we’re saving lives in the aftermath of disasters and helping communities become more resilient to daily risks and prepare for larger disasters. Since early 2018, we have responded to 20 disasters, established the Children’s Emergency Fund — responding to a further 22 disasters — and disbursed over €6.5 million to help children and their families. Between December 2017 and February 2020, our customers also contributed to the donation more than €3 million to Save the Children, supporting children and families in emergencies all over the world.

C&A Together community giving

In 2019, C&A Foundation^[4] provided funding of €2.68 million to 122 initiatives in 18 European countries. Recipients were chosen by our employees via our C&A Together community giving programme.

Read more about our disaster relief efforts

Read more about our charitable partnerships

^[2] In January 2020, C&A Foundation became part of Laudes Foundation.

^[3] In January 2020, C&A Foundation became part of Laudes Foundation.

^[4] In January 2020, C&A Foundation became part of Laudes Foundation.