The ArcelorMittal Foundation is a non-profit organisation that supports the social and economic development of communities in regions where we have business operations.

The ArcelorMittal Foundation works for the sustainable development of local communities. We believe that education, health and community development are essential to an enhanced quality of life for the communities in which we work.

Our strategy is to cultivate local resources and skills for sustainable social change. For example, we support a microcredit facility, Bem Bank in Brazil, which serves 30,000 people in the São Benedito neighbourhood in Vitória. Accessibility to small loans has encouraged entrepreneurship and people have found new income-generating options, such as building a brick factory and a small-scale production unit for house-cleaning products.

Formed in 2007, the ArcelorMittal Foundation has grown to reach communities in 30 countries. In 2012 we supported 725 social local projects across the world. We also partner with global non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to undertake projects in our communities. For example, we are working with Habitat for Humanity to build low-cost houses in regions that lack adequate housing.

We partner with governmental agencies, NGOs, community representatives and private institutions, such as schools, to understand local social, cultural and environmental issues. Projects are led by our network of correspondents, based in our major business units. We have a clear methodology to guide every project, which we adapt to regional circumstances.

The ArcelorMittal Foundation also encourages volunteering among employees with the Global Volunteer Work Programme. We create opportunities for employees across the company to work on our community projects. Through our mini-grants, we extend financial support to social organisations in which our employees are actively engaged. Our employees have found several ways to make a difference to other people’s lives, such as helping deaf children at a local kindergarten or entertaining children at hospitals dressed as clowns.

We are also committed to providing immediate support during emergencies. Following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, we reached out with financial aid for redevelopment work and supported Habitat for Humanity to construct 2,000 refugee shelters, as well as supporting immediate medical care through Doctors Without Borders.