Co-operation model like nothing before: ”Our network has the power to make a difference”
Ahlström Collective Impact, a new corporate social responsibility initiative by Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Ahlström Capital, Antti Ahlström Perilliset, Eva Ahlström Foundation, Destia and Glaston, is committed to creating change by investing in a better future for children in partnerships with UNICEF Finland.
Initiated by Eva Ahlström Foundation in 2020, Ahlström Collective Impact is a new kind of co-operation model between the partnering companies and UNICEF Finland focusing on achieving change in the global society and improving the lives of children worldwide by making strategic investments. The partnership’s activities and funding decision are guided by commonly selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations.
Maria Ahlström-Bondestam, Co-founder & Chair of the Eva Ahlström Foundation is the driving force behind this new corporate social responsibility initiative. ”I have lived in 10 different countries on 3 continents during a 20 year period. During those years I came to reflect on inequality and injustice and my role in society,” she says. Time abroad away from family and the Finnish welfare society made an impact on Ahlström-Bondestam, and moving back to Finland she realized the potential of an initiative that joins different stakeholders together for greater impact.
A bold idea that developed into a co-operation model like nothing before
Ahlström Collective Impact is a unique collaboration, also globally, Ahlström-Bondestam continues. “We believe in the power of partnerships and innovative mutually beneficial collaboration. We truly feel it is time for companies and the private sector to see support of organizations like UNICEF as an investment – not as charity. Through this unique collaboration we aim to spark change in society,” Ahlström-Bondestam says.
“We are truly excited to be part of the Ahlström Collective Impact,” says Tarja Takko, EVP People and Safety at Ahlstrom-Munksjö. “We immediately saw a great value in this collaboration model proposed by Eva Ahlström Foundation. Ahlstrom-Munksjö is strongly committed to respecting the highest standards of human rights, and with Ahlström Collective Impact and UNICEF Finland we leverage our long-term and global commitment while taking Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s strategic giving and donations program further.”
First fighting together against the COVID-19
In 2020, Ahlström Collective Impact focuses in supporting children that have become victims of the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has both short- and long-term impacts on the health, well-being and the development of children, and UNICEF Finland is tackling these challenges by supporting governments worldwide in their efforts to secure basic healthcare and education for every child.
The whole Ahlström Collective Impact is working closely together for selecting the SDGs to work in the future, in desire to build a better world for future generations.
The Ahlström Collective Impact partnership hopes that this sets an example and would inspire also other companies and their stakeholders to join forces for long-term strategic partnerships for a better tomorrow.