At Bayer, we want to contribute to a world where everyone has access to enough food and can live a healthy life. Social inequality in our world is growing, exacerbated by challenges such as climate change and pandemics. Access to adequate health care or sufficient and quality food is limited for many parts of the world's population. That is why we work with renowned partners in the non-for-profit area and visionary social entrepreneurs to support social projects around the world.
Social Innovation & Corporate Charitable Giving is an integrated element of Bayer’s open innovation ecosystem, sustainability strategy and vision. We believe in the system-changing power of innovation, be it through local community initiatives or global impact partnerships. We want to promote societal progress by supporting initiatives that tackle the root-cause of issues and ideas with potential to make a lasting impact for change. The focus is on finding new answers for challenges around nutrition, health, gender equality and access to water, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in alignment with our vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None”.
Responding to disasters through humanitarian assistance also plays a crucial role in Bayer’s social commitment. With our Disaster Relief programs we support communities affected by natural disasters and public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In each country where Bayer is present, we drive societal engagement programs through donations and the support of social innovators.
Bayer’s foundations
Bayer’s global and local foundations are the philanthropic arms of Bayer and generate impact in line with our vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None” and our mission “Science for a Better Life”.
Concrete engagement examples and how you can contribute
Bayer Foundation is a co-founder of the Social Impact Startup Academy. This is a unique platform supporting students and social innovators to identify and develop breakthrough social innovations that address the world’s most pressing issues around SDGs 2 & 3 (zero hunger and good health and wellbeing). This semester-based academy is anchored in action-oriented learning formats which form part of an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Master’s Program at the Ingolstadt School of Management and Purdue University’s Engineering College. Examples of projects include a feasibility study for entering a new market; a business model or business plan analysis - or even support with fundraising and crowdfunding. Although financial support is not granted directly, it can be obtained from contacts within Bayer Foundation’s network.
Bayer employees can volunteer to mentor student groups and support the learning program with their expertise (e.g. consulting, finance, marketing, R&D…). More information can be found here.
Helping Cents is an employee donation program that enables Bayer colleagues in Germany to donate the decimal places of their monthly salary to charitable causes. The total amount of cents collected is matched by Bayer and is intended for social projects that align with Bayer's donation strategy. The program was launched in 2017 and has been growing year by year since then. Bayer employees in Germany can have a say in how donations are allocated and can vote for different projects.
If you want to participate in the program, please find more information on our Bayer Intranet after your first working day. Just click here
PROSI (PRO Social Initiatives) is a Bayer-wide employee-driven volunteering program that provides colleagues across the world with opportunities to engage together in voluntary work to help their local communities in a simple and transparent way. PROSI offers you:
- The opportunity to help and care about our local environment, do good together with colleagues to support team building and foster the sense of belonging to ONE - one team, one site, just ONE-Bayer
- Actively contribute to our mission "Science For A Better Life"
- Make a tangible difference with no binding or long-term commitment
- Change our mindsets by enhancing awareness?! That is what PROSI offers.
Are you interested in volunteering for a good cause? If yes, just go to the PROSI Sharepoint and register for our existing initiatives or get in contact with the respective site connectors for your location. You can access the PROSI Sharepoint after your first working day.