Vaude recognised for its work with refugees
13/07/2017
The company has been involved with refugees since 2015. Its initiatives have been strongly supported by employees who formed a “Helferkreis” – a grassroots assistance group. Initially, the company’s Helferkreis provided support for regional projects as well as other refugee projects in Germany and abroad with product donations.
To help with entering the workforce, Vaude also started offering sewing workshops in collaboration with the Asylum Network Tettnang in the summer of 2016. Workshop participants manufactured sustainable bags using remnant materials from the VAUDE Manufaktur. The proceeds of these bags flowed back as a donation for a joint project with the Asylum Network.
This year Vaude began offering German courses for refugee employees free of charge to facilitate integration on a linguistic and cultural level.
The company has provided permanent employment for nine refugees from seven countries, two of whom accepted the “Lea-Mittelstandspreis” award at the Stuttgart-based ceremony - Buba Njie and Abdoulie Barry, both from Gambia.
"This award is a tremendous sign of appreciation for our commitment. Our desire is that the people who work for us and are well integrated into the workforce will be allowed to stay in the country. Three of our employees have received a notice of rejection in their asylum procedures and are currently in litigation," said Lisa Fiedler, head of CSR at Vaude.
Vaude was chosen from 300 entries.
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