Airbus Corporate Foundation

The Airbus Corporate Foundation (ACF) was established in December 2008 to facilitate Airbus' charitable endeavours worldwide and develop an international network of employees, associations and organisations. The foundation supports humanitarian, community, environmental and youth development activities.

The ACF wanted to develop an environmental project that was committed to the preservation of biodiversity whilst increasing global employee engagement and continued development of its relationships in India. In January 2010 the ACF launched its three-year biodiversity programme with Raleigh International and is now working in partnership with Raleigh, the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests and the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Small Grants Programme in Southern India.

The Airbus Corporate Foundation Biodiversity Programme
Since Autumn 2010 over 60 Airbus employees from 9 different countries have completed 4 expeditions to construct biogas units in rural villages in the Nilgiri District, Southern India. A further 32 employees will be continuing the good work in 2012.

Biogas technology provides an alternative source of fuel in rural regions. Methane produced from cow manure is captured and used on gas hobs for cooking. This has numerous environmental, economic and health benefits. It removes the locals need to gather firewood from the protected forests to burn for cooking. The technology has significant health benefits as it ensures that individuals exposure to smoke from cooking on open fires in their homes is no longer an issue. The communities are provided with cows as part of the project, which enables them to increase income by producing and selling milk and fertiliser.

Programme achievements and Impact on the community
Over the course of four expeditions, Airbus employees have worked with the local community to construct eleven biogas units complete with cow sheds. They dug large holes to house the main underground biogas chambers that were constructed with steel wire and cement. They also built the cow sheds which involved digging the foundations, laying the floor, brick-laying, installing the roof and painting.

The project completion was celebrated by opening ceremonies hosted by CTRD Trust, Raleigh's project partner, and the local people. The participants become totally immersed in the culture whilst on expedition, teaching in the local school, visiting tribal co-operative tea factory and living and working alongside community members. It is a truly unique and once in a life time experience.

What was the impact on the Airbus employee?
Experiencing the unique cross cultural interaction and living in basic and challenging conditions whilst away from comforts of daily life has a multitude of benefits, including:

• Increased ability to plan, lead and have influence in group situations.
• Increased ability to work alongside people from different cultures, countries, backgrounds and professional disciplines.
• Improved sense of identity and self awareness as well as individual's awareness of global issues and the ACF's commitment to biodiversity.
• Leadership, teamwork, interpersonal, intercultural, and problem solving skills that are highly transferable and are likely to increase the effectiveness and motivation of employees and develop their international networks.

What was the impact on the community?
The impact on the community has been very positive, not just for the health and economic benefits, but also from living and working alongside an international group of people. A lot has been learnt by all involved in the project and the impact continues to be of mutual benefit.

Testimonials

"This is social entrepreneurship working well – taking the best of business acumen and applying it to a non commercial initiative – not under the pretext of bettering mankind or for the accolades of positive PR – not for any other reason than knowing that what your employees get out of it personally they will bring back into the business."
Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer and Airbus Corporate Foundation Chairman.

"Our expedition to Kudimery in Southern India has seriously been the most amazing, incredible, life-changing experience of my life. I am amazed at how much of an effect it has had on me and my daily life"
Helen Barrow, Airbus UK, Expedition Participant 2010

"A great experience to find out how "a group of strangers" gets together and joins in collaborative work to achieve a high level goal within a most basic environment for a common social cause! And it works!"
Nicolas Tschechne, Airbus Germany, Expedition Participant 2010

"The biogas project has been a great success and demonstrates how we can use this method to equip more families with this environmentally friendly technology. Seeing the impact of the Airbus employees living and working with the communities has been very positive".
Mr. RS. Ranganathen, Founder and Executive Director of Centre for Tribal and Rural Development, India Project Partner for the Airbus Foundation's project.

What happens after expedition?
All Raleigh alumni are encouraged to remain active and stay connected with the Raleigh global community on their return home. The Airbus candidates will be promoting biodiversity awareness within their local areas and working on projects with schools. They are also welcome to volunteer with Raleigh or take part in a future expedition.