Fundraising in Unilever
Each year, two global flagship events provide the opportunity for employees, their families and friends to make their contribution in the fight against hunger.
End Hunger: Walk the World is the world’s largest annual global event to raise awareness about child hunger and funds for WFP. It normally happens in May or June and takes place within a 24-hour period across the planet’s time zones. It is organised by Unilever and two other global partners, Dutch courier company TNT and Dutch Life and Material Sciences company DSM, with support from the World Food Programme.
In 2011, thousands of people joined more than 90 events worldwide to show their solidarity and raise funds to end child hunger. For more information visit Walk the World(Link opens in a new window)
World Food Day
World Food Day is a UN Food and Agriculture Organization initiative, and has been an annual event since 1979. Its aim is to heighten public awareness of the world hunger and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Since 2008, Unilever has been organising World Food Day events in more than 30 countries.
In addition to those global events, Unilever employees in different countries organise many local fund raising activities. These typically include internal events and also external activities with our retail partners. Employees welcome the chance to get involved and are encouraged to take part.
Donating knowledge & expertise
Short and longer term secondments allow employees to take part directly in our work with partners. These employees have specific expertise across a number of areas including supply chain, quality management, communications, nutrition and project management. Secondments help motivate our people and also bring valuable and long-lasting know-how to partners around how to run a more cost-effective operation.
Approximately 40 students have taken part in our internship programme over the past four years and have had the experience of living in a developing country while working on the WFP’s food assistance and school meals programmes. Alone in 2011 there were 8 interns in Bangladesh and Indonesia to support WFP, Unilever and other implementingation partners to make Project Laser Beam a success. These students have been recruited by Unilever. Interns support Project Laser Beam partners, either in logistics, communications or managerial tasks, reporting progress to Unilever employees and the external world.
Involving customers & consumers
Project Laser Beam also provides the opportunity for Unilever to partner with key customers and ultimately consumers in its fight to eradicate child hunger. Where possible Unilever joins forces with customers that have like-minded social mission goals. To date, Unilever has run ‘Cause-Related Marketing’ campaigns for Project Laser Beam in many countries, which have proven a great success in raising vital funds and awareness. These campaigns include in-store promotions which provide a simple mechanism for consumers to get involved and do good while buying their favourite products.
Unilever is building on the great momentum gained so far and further leveraging its partnerships with key customers as Project Laser Beam moves forward. This goes right to the heart of Unilever’s belief that together all our small actions make a big difference.