Translations

LEROY MERLIN BRAZIL-GROUPE ADEO takes the lead in major steps for local social and educational development

7. Community involvement

Community development

Sector Business / Distribution

Year 2010

Country Brazil

Transmitter

Context

LEROY MERLIN BRAZIL has been following a very ambitious Sustainable Development strategic plan since 2007.

Protecting the environment, keeping those within and outside the company, as well as suppliers and customers, well-informed about the issues of sustainable development and construction and promoting these issues, and building AQUA-certified stores (Brazil equivalent of HQE) – these are major objectives that are pursued with zeal and creativity.

In a dynamic and progressing country, though one still facing major challenges, LEROY MERLIN BRAZIL also wishes to be a fully-fledged stakeholder in local socio-economic development.

Objectives

- To allow all employees to improve their living conditions, and to promote and contribute to local social, educational, and economic development.

APPROACH

- National partnership with Gol de Lettra, a great association established by footballer Rai de Oliveira for youth education
- The “Apprentis Mineurs” (minor apprentices) Project: 5% of employees in each store are young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods
- “Soldes Solidaires” (sales solidarity) Project: 3% of sales-season turnover for each store is donated to a local association and 2% of the total sales-season turnover is donated by LEROY MERLIN BRAZIL to Gol de Lettra
- “Vêtements chauds” (warm clothing) campaign: as winter approaches, each store organizes and promotes a warm clothing collect over several weeks, to be given to disadvantaged neighbourhoods
- “Cesta básica”: monthly food-parcel distribution to the family of every employee: not a very widespread practice in the world of retail distribution
- Free and unlimited access to the staff canteen for a balanced meal every day
- 75% contribution to post-baccalaureate training for employees: none of this training is free in Brazil, and it often represents up to half a base salary
- Distribution of school kits for children under age 14 who are enrolled in school, and those under the age of six whose vaccinations are up-to-date: a programme encouraging education and proper attention to children’s healthcare.
- Special education aid for employees with a handicapped child, in partnership with the Casa do Menor (“Children’s Home”) association

These actions are representative, but not exhaustive; the best local ideas are developed and implemented in all stores.