The Company’s approach is to conduct community projects that are relevant to local business environments and to make investments in other independent projects. These include providing support for children, the disabled, and people in need. Other important initiatives include safeguarding cultural heritage, enriching public community life (such as supporting the arts and educational institutions), and restoring public spaces.
Sweden
Since 1936, Swedish Match has supported The Solstickan Foundation through its sales of certain lights products in Sweden. For every product sold under the Solstickan brand, a portion of sales goes to the Solstickan Foundation. The Foundation works primarily to promote the interests of children and the elderly. The Foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2011. Read more about the Solstickan Foundation.
Swedish Match supports the Tobacco and Match Museum in Stockholm, which is the custodian of an important part of Swedish industrial culture, with its extensive collections cared for by Swedish Match. Read more about the Tobacco and Match Museum.
Many of the Company’s employees in Sweden have chosen to support the Chiredzi Many of the Company’s employees in Sweden have chosen to support the Chiredzi Orphanage in Zimbabwe by donating a small amount of their salary each month. The orphanage was built by a former business partner in Zimbabwe and takes care of and provides education for children whose parents have died of AIDS.
During the year, the Company also supported an anti-littering campaign, a project involving work to prevent youth criminality and a project to counter bullying in schools. The Company has also continued its support to a project that provides information to school children in Sweden about drugs and the effects of drug abuse.
The United States
In the US, Swedish Match has a long history of making charitable contributions to various community organizations, supporting people in need and preventing child abuse. Community involvement is strongly encouraged. Nearly all employees participate through donations, volunteer work, and other activities. Donations are also made to organizations supporting the arts and continued education.
The Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, the Company has supported non-profit organizations in charity events to raise funds.
Brazil
Swedish Match continues its community involvement in Brazil by supporting the “Bom Menino” (Young Boy) project. This is a skill building program that enables youths aged 14 to 18 from low income families to develop educational, employment, and social skills.
The Philippines
For the past three years, the Company has made donations to a children’s organization in the Philippines. The organization aims to provide marginalized children a better life. Swedish Match has also supported housing projects for families in need. Each year, funds are also provided to a Disaster Foundation, which are earmarked for severe natural disasters.