Through its social responsibility programs, Unigel strengthens its relationship with the communities in which it operates, seeking to do more than simply provide assistance, but rather to achieve real transformation for the country’s development. Unigel’s social initiatives include:
Child Education Center
With its own resources, Unigel built a Child Education Center in the district of Caroba, where the headquarters of its industrial complex is located in the municipality of Candeias, Bahia. The center houses around 260 children up to age 6 from the local communities and is managed in partnership with the Municipal Education Department. It offers educational services and social assistance to the students’ mothers, and features a playground, classrooms, cafeteria and medial consultation room.
The Child Education Center also offers courses for the students’ mothers in the areas of health, personal hygiene, eating habits, home economics, arts and crafts, and sewing.
For young adults, Unigel implemented a vocational training center that offers courses in Industrial Maintenance, Acrylic Sheets Manufacturing and Information Technology.
To meet the community’s growing demands, Unigel is expanding the Center to serve more than 500 students, drawing on actual residents for the labor needed to build the school.
New Z-54 Fishing Colony
In partnership with the municipal government of Candeias, Bahia, which provided the land, Unigel financed the project for the construction of the Z-54 fishing colony in Rio da Cunha, a small village of fishermen located in the district of Passé. The partnership strengthens the project’s development of the local community and economy, emphasizing environmental protection laws and fishing controls in the region and benefitting more than 100 families of fishermen and shellfish harvesters.
Acrylic Project
The Acrylic Project is an important social responsibility initiative of Unigel developed in the small district of Jaguará in Feira de Santana, Bahia. After renovating a large school building in Jaraguá, the company implemented an arts workshop for recycling leftovers from the company’s acrylics production, which are transformed into objects for decoration or household use. This project encourages its participants to develop new skills, in addition to generating a new source of income through the sale of the items made.
This project, which has been developed for seven years, became self-sufficient after the first three months. More than 300 youths who participated in this project were later hired by small manufacturers of acrylic articles, such as trophies, medals, paper organizers and signs for banks and restaurants.
This project, which received substantial financial support from Unigel, including equipment and materials, also counts on support from the National Institute for Acrylic Development and the Municipal Education Department of Feira de Santana, with supervision by the Community Council of the district and support from the state industrial training service (SENAI). Plans have been made to replicate the project in three other cities in Bahia state.
Dairy Production Courses
This is a vocational training course in ranching techniques sponsored by dairy producer JL Agropecuárias, which is headquartered in Candeias, Bahia, in partnership with the municipal government and Empresa Baiana de Desenvolvimento Agrícola do Estado (EBDA). The one-year course is taught by professors from the Federal University of Agronomy of Cruz das Almas and covers subjects such as the production, marketing and hygiene of milk and dairy products, which represents the opportunity of a better future for the participating youths. After graduating, students are placed in jobs in this growing industry in Bahia state. Unigel contributes to this project by providing a monthly food stipend for the 50 students attending the course.
Specialization Course at the State University of Bahia (UNEB)
This is a partnership between the State University of Bahia and Unigel Plásticos for a specialization course in Product Design – Post-Design. Targeting professors and professionals in the areas of Design, Architecture, Interior Design and Engineering, the program focuses on how to use acrylic to create architectural, artistic and decorative forms. Unigel participates in this project by providing technical knowledge on acrylic and the various ways it can transform.
Donations
Unigel donates laboratory materials to a municipal school in Dias D’Ávila, Bahia, enabling students to have more contact with the various branches of chemistry. This initiative is highly praised by the Municipal Education Department and the local community.
Youth Apprentice Program
To prepare youths from the community for the job market, Unigel has already hired 14 youths between 14 and 18 years old for a two-year intern period.
Community Relations
Community Association – Unigel actively participates in the Community Associations of Caroba and Caípe, organizing visits to the industrial facilities, providing support for community problems and sponsoring cultural, educational and sports events.
Candeias Municipal Sports League – Unigel sponsors sports championships held by the League.
Municipal Health Department – During vaccination campaigns, the company supports the department by providing transportation and food to participants.
Municipal Education Department – Unigel sponsors actions to promote and value teachers.
Places of Worship – Unigel sponsors the renovation and construction of places of worship in the center of Candeias and in the Caroba and Urbis II districts.
