People Empowerment
Social responsibility is a matter of course for us and a fundamental component of our corporate governance. Through various social projects, especially at our locations and in our procurement countries, we tackle current challenges and support people inside and outside our company.
The s.Oliver brand has been a supporter of the Special Olympics movement in Germany since the first National Games in Stuttgart in 1998. Special Olympics Deutschland e.V. is the sports organisation for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities and stands for inclusion and fun in sport. At the Special Olympics National Games 2024 in Thuringia, employees will once again be deployed on site to become part of the movement as corporate volunteers.
Cotton made in Africa
Together with the Aid by Trade Foundation and the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative, we regularly support projects in cotton growing regions in Africa.
Building on the projects of previous years, we also decided to support another project at the end of 2024. Many organic cotton farmers in northern Benin are illiterate and therefore limited in their ability to make decisions. As part of the CmiA project for the literacy of 160 female cotton farmers in Benin, which we support financially, the women are trained and educated so that they learn to draw up viable business plans and keep accounts. This should encourage them to continue their education and become involved in cooperatives.
As early as 2024, we are supporting the development of additional sources of income for female cotton farmers in Zambia through the purchase of maize mills and the construction of warehouses. In Tanzania, together with CmiA and other partners, we enabled the construction of a girls' dormitory near a school in Mtekente in 2023. As the journey to school is often long and dangerous, the safe living space offers up to 80 girls aged 12 to 18 the chance to attend school regularly and have a self-determined future. Our projects build on the commitment of the comma and s.Oliver RED LABEL Women brands and show how targeted support can have a long-term impact.
Accommodation for Ukrainian Refugees
Due to the war in Ukraine, the S.OLIVER GROUP worked in close cooperation with the district office to provide accommodation for refugees from Ukraine at its headquarters. Lots of our employees lent a hand in clearing out and setting up the space, as well as providing people with first aid. The second step was to create a childcare facility for the Ukrainian children. The company hired a Ukrainian childminder for this purpose.
Our Employees Are Committed to the Cause: You Are Welcome
“You are welcome” is the name of our employee initiative, the aim of which is to show solidarity with those in need in the region of our company headquarters. A budget has been made available for this project by our management team, which the initiative is responsible for managing and uses for good causes. For example, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, in 2020 we donated 10,000 garments to the Malteser relief fund in Würzburg to be distributed as needed. We also provided numerous jackets to train station missions in autumn 2020 as part of the “Donate Warmth” campaign. In 2021, more than 5,000 garments were donated to the Bavarian Red Cross (Würzburg district office) alone, which then forwarded the clothing on to refugees in Bosnia. In 2022, the S.OLIVER GROUP participated in several fundraising campaigns for refugees from Ukraine and those still living in the country by donating items of clothing.
Bernd Freier Fonds
Suddenly everything has changed from one day to the next. Difficult circumstances can affect all of us. That is why our company founder and owner set up the “Bernd Freier Funds” to enable us to provide help for our employees and their family members. The fund is open to applications from all employees who find themselves in need through no fault of their own and offers financial support in difficult life situations.