Konecta: Walking the talk on solidarity in 2024

Konecta: Walking the talk on solidarity in 2024

Throughout this past year, we have strengthened our commitment to social well-being and sustainability, implementing various transformative actions that reflect the compassionate spirit of our employees and our efforts to generate a positive impact on communities. These volunteer initiatives, which include working together with local and global organizations, cover essential topics based on four fundamental pillars:

• Social inclusion: supporting vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, those at risk of social exclusion, and the elderly.
• Education: promoting the training and development of young people.
• Environment: collaborating on environmental protection and sustainability projects.
• Solidarity: campaigns to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.

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A Year of Worldwide Solidarity aligned with the SDGs

The actions developed by Konecta volunteers have been numerous and diverse, extending across all the countries in which we operate. From social inclusion initiatives in vulnerable communities to educational programs, solidarity campaigns, and environmental projects, our collaborators have shared resources, knowledge, and experiences in order to improve the living conditions of those most in need, contributing directly to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.[1] [2]  

In this sense, the 2030 Agenda recognizes the need for all of society to be involved and as part of this approach, volunteering is recognized as a powerful and cross-cutting means of implementation by the UN Volunteers, because it enables people to become responsible actors in their own development as well as being active models of change.

Following that premise, our volunteers have achieved a positive impact not only at a local level but also in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in areas such as poverty reduction (SDG 1), health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 17).

• Goal 1: No Poverty. We've been busy making a difference in several countries by organizing food and clothing drives to help those in need. In Argentina, our donations during "Children's Month" reached over 900 kids. In Colombia, our "Operation Kilo" campaign collected over 1,200 kilos of essentials, benefiting over 1,500 people. And in Peru, our "Kilo of Love" volunteer day gathered a whopping 11,000 kilos of food for vulnerable shelters.
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. Health is another one of our top priorities, which is why we have launched several awareness and support campaigns. In Albania, our participation in the "Pink October" campaign helped raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer prevention, offering employees free Pap tests and mammograms. This year, 206 women have undergone screenings, a number that continues to grow annually. This leads us to understand that our initiative is increasingly raising awareness among women about the importance of breast cancer prevention.Similarly, in Spain, our collaboration with the Spanish Association Against Cancer and our fundraising campaign for cancer research reflect our commitment to people's health and well-being.
• Goal 4: Quality Education. We are deeply committed to education. In Colombia, our "Connecting with Intention" project has trained over 50 children in environmental and career skills. In Spain, we've partnered with Fundación Konecta on the "Creating Opportunities" program, providing ongoing training to young people with intellectual disabilities and those at risk of social exclusion, empowering them with new skills and prospects.
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. As a testament to our commitment to generating quality employment, in Spain, we have the Fundación Konecta Professional Training School, where over 1,600 students have been trained in the contact center field, facilitating their labor insertion into the industry. Moreover, more than 170 people have received job offers after completing their training.
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. The fight against inequality is a core principle of our company. In fact, in Spain we have organized events such as the charity paddle tennis tournament, aimed at raising funds for projects that support vulnerable people. Additionally, in Hungary we have supported the Foundation for Children with Limb Deficiencies, and in Peru, we have assisted elderly adults through various food drives and recreational activities. In Morocco, we collaborated with Reach Out to provide emergency assistance to victims of the 2023 earthquake, including food, clothing, mattresses, blankets, hygiene items, kitchen utensils, medical equipment, first aid medicines, and more. Total Value of Donations: Food: 146,872.00 DHS; Medicine: 27,825.13 DHS.‍
• Goal 13: Climate Action. We're committed to safeguarding our planet. In Colombia, our volunteers have partnered with indigenous communities and Saving the Amazon to plant more than 1,800 trees, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. Similarly, in Peru, we've collaborated with the Municipality of Lima and other local stakeholders to enhance urban green spaces and promote reforestation.‍
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. We believe that sustainability and making a positive difference go hand in hand. To achieve this, we've forged strategic partnerships with a diverse range of organizations. In Madagascar, we've teamed up with SPAH to champion a circular economy by turning waste into essential hygiene products and working together to collect recyclable paper at their facilities. These collaborations amplify our efforts and bring together a variety of voices to create a more just and sustainable world.

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A continuous commitment to social transformation

Our volunteer actions embody our employees' commitment and reflect our mission to create a better world. By collaborating with communities and organizations globally, we strive to demonstrate the power of collective action in driving significant, transformative change. Together, we work towards a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a more supportive, conscious, and responsible environment. We support vulnerable communities and actively contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

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