The Piaggio Group consists of 23 companies, 19 of which are operational. The latter are located in 15 countries. In four of these countries, the Group launched charity projects worth €1.7 million in 2021.
The percentage of involvement of local communities is calculated as follows: 4 / 15 = 26.7%.
The funded projects are analysed below.
In 2021, the partnership between the Piaggio Group and (RED) - an association founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver - continued, which, thanks to the help of partners and supporters, has allocated more than USD 700 million to the fight against AIDS and COVID-19. (RED) aid to the Global Fund has impacted more than 220 million lives through prevention, treatment, counselling, HIV testing and support services.
This year the partnership has been extended with the introduction of the new model (VESPA ELETTRICA)RED which will be marketed from Spring 2022.
The collaboration with (RED) also continued during the last round of the Moto GP world championship, held in Valencia (Spain) on 14 November, which saw the riders and the entire Aprilia Racing team become promoters to raise awareness among the large audience of MotoGP enthusiasts towards issues such as the fight against pandemics.
Interest in research and progress in the health sector led the Piaggio Group to donate €250,000 to the IEO CCM Foundation (European Institute of Oncology) and €50,000 to the Pontedera vaccination centre (to help with the emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
In the field of international cooperation, €40,000 was also donated to ISPI (Institute for International Political Studies) and €10,000 to AIICP (Italy-India Association for Cooperation between the two countries).
Two Wi-Bikes were donated to the Istituto Oncologico Mantovano, and a Vespa Dior was donated in support of the Community of San Patrignano through an auction organised by Charity Stars.
Lastly, for some years now, for the end of year festive season, the Piaggio Group, together with the entire Immsi Group, has been fostering educational and rehabilitative activities for disabled children affected by brain damage by making a donation to the “Casa del Sole Onlus” association, in the name of all the employees of the Immsi and Piaggio Groups. This year the Piaggio Group contributed €20,000. In forty years of activities, the non-profit-making organisation Casa del Sole Onlus has assisted over five thousand children affected by brain damage and been a valuable source of help for their families.
The Indian and Vietnamese subsidiaries have also been active in the social field, supporting and promoting charitable initiatives, despite the impossibility of organising events due to the pandemic.
In particular, Piaggio Vietnam donated 8 respirators to the Vinh Phuc health district, raised funds for 2 orphanages and gave gifts to the children of some disadvantaged families.
Particular mention should go to the Indian subsidiary.
The Company Act of 2013 enacted by the Government of India in 2013 stipulated that large companies operating in India must spend in each financial year, at least two percent of the average net profits of the last three years, in accordance with the company's Corporate Social Responsibility Policy and favouring local areas adjacent to the production site. Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013 lists the CSR activities that can be undertaken by companies in compliance with the company's Corporate Social Responsibility Policy: (i) eradicating hunger and extreme poverty; (ii) promoting training; (iii) promoting gender equality and women's empowerment; (iv) reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health; (v) combating HIV, malaria and other diseases; (vi) ensuring environmental sustainability; (vii) promoting employment and the improvement of professional skills; (viii) social entrepreneurial projects; (ix) contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or any other fund created by central government or local governments for socio-economic development.
Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (PVPL) has focused its commitment on social projects generally in the areas of water and sanitation, education, women's empowerment, chosen on the basis of preliminary research carried out internally on the needs of the area surrounding the plant.
The projects developed by the Indian subsidiary during 2021 were as follows:
Development of a watershed
PVPL’s aim is to make water available to communities residing in the area adjacent to the plant and to reduce dependence on the supply from tankers on which they were forced to rely for almost 5 months a year. Thanks to soil and water conservation measures combined with the development of biomass and vegetation on the basis of the river basin, efforts have been made to improve the natural resource base of the local economy (household needs, agriculture, livestock, livelihoods and income), thus mitigating climate-induced risks, such as disasters resulting from extreme weather events.
By December 2021, the total coverage of the watershed area through various treatments reached 11,978 hectares and covered 10 villages. Before the treatment of the catchment area, the upper fertile soil was washed away by the rainwater runoff. The soil erosion of this area is now controlled, and the improved retention of soil moisture contributes to increasing crop yield. The most important aspect of this project is the increase in groundwater resupply and increase in well water levels; farmers are switching to an increasingly appropriate farming model. The models are horticulture and dairy farming.
After ensuring a greater availability of water for domestic and agricultural use for the community, the focus shifted to the prevention of waterborne diseases and thus to the provision of safe drinking water. Water filters were installed in 3 villages with capacities ranging from 1000 LPH to 2000 LPH depending on the population.
Eye care
As a company operating in mobility, PVPL is committed to reducing road accidents. Given that 60% of road accidents in the world are attributable to vision problems and 28% of road accidents in India involve light commercial vehicles, the company took the opportunity to provide eye care facilities for the 3-wheeler driver community. More than 520 mobile eye care facilities were built across India, that examined more than 33,500 motorists. Free corrective glasses were provided to 18,600 drivers. In addition, 1,800 motorists with severe vision problems were referred to hospitals and some received free cataract surgery.
Kits for the food supply of 3-wheeler taxi drivers during lockdown
Dealers were encouraged to contribute together with the company to the supply of food supply kits for a family of 4 people lasting 2 months. 11,000 families of 3-wheeler taxi drivers were assisted in 14 states through the dealer network.
Scholarships for children of 3-wheeler taxi drivers
A scholarship programme was launched to support the children of 3-wheeler taxi drivers who are studying for a diploma, bachelor's degree or at upper secondary school. The market demands more technically qualified workers and through this scholarship programme, PVPL is offering young people the chance to acquire the skills to find a job and support their families.
Thanks to the project, 549 students received a scholarship to continue their higher education after school.
Only 25% of students opt for higher education. Studies have shown that 57% of students drop out of education because they cannot afford it.