Social Projects

The idea of a social project as a training had been with Pathways for a few years before we decided to put it in practice. As our skills increased, we were looking for real challenge for the sake of the trainings.

At the same time we were inspired by the idea of the Social Responsibility of Business. Therefore we concluded that it may be the way to raise the employees' involvement in their own development as well as in the team and the surrounding world.

After a few years of experience we can say that social projects have considerable potential for the organisation in the field of:
- creating corporate culture
- individual and team development
- forming identity and attachment  among the employees
- increasing loyalty to the company
- increasing involvement and motivation.

The goal, range of work, time and the number of people involved is practically unrestricted.
See the examples:

UNILEVER - year 2004, building a playground and sport ground for a school in Popowo Borowe near Nasielsk. The social project was part of the conference for managerial staff. Around 160 people worked on the project. Within half a day the school gained some equipment and Unilever implemented the CSR idea included in the organisation strategy.

TETRAPAK - year 2005, social project was supposed to be an initial part of the development of managerial staff. During the two days of work 100 employees built a swimming pool, green area and a garden shed. MOreover, the participants prepared a show together with the choldren in order to celebrate the effects of the work in the orphanage in Solec on the Vistula river.

COCA-COLA - year 2005, social project as part of the integration of employees. Intensive work of 30 people resulted in the renovation of some space in the orphanage in Kowalewo; the company also donated some equipment for this space.

Social projects demand that the company and its partners (such as for example a training company) define:
- clear aims and intentions of the project
- responsibilities
- organisational competences
- the skill of handling a crisis

For us, Pathways workers, participating in social projects is always a moving experience. It is a powerful reminder of why we do our work.