Social responsibility
At Trioliet, we focus not only on achieving our economic and financial goals, but feel a keen responsibility to have a positive impact on the world around us. In addition to developing and selling machines and systems in feeding technology and investing in innovative production methods, Trioliet plays an active role in helping to shape society. By financially supporting initiatives that contribute on a professional level to a better quality of life, we aim to make a difference both locally and internationally. We believe in effective social engagement as the key to a better world.
Internationally supported goals
Trioliet is committed to various international initiatives, including Cow Lease, Wakibi (Kiva), 100WEEKS and MAMAS. These initiatives have a positive impact on vulnerable populations worldwide. The majority of the projects we support focus on female empowerment, with our aim being to strengthen the position of women in various fields. Through our financial support and commitment, we seek to make an active contribution to promoting sustainable change and the well-being of communities around the world.
Women in developing countries often focus on entrepreneurship as a way out of unemployment and poverty. However, they face many challenges in doing so. Unwritten rules on female behaviour limit their choices, making it difficult for them to be taken seriously in a male-dominated business world. Balancing care obligations while building a business is a constant challenge, with limited access to support services, technology and training. Social patterns of expectation make business a major challenge that comes with a great deal of mental strain. Limited access to credit is a major obstacle. Economic, social and political gender equality is a human right that leads to stronger societies. The microcredit model paves the way for economic empowerment among women. It also increases their financial independence and social status, triggering a 'network effect' that makes communities more resilient.
Cow Lease is a collaboration between Trioliet and Farm Friends. The foundation provides microfinancing for local cattle farmers in Africa to increase their standard of living. By financing the cows, which are then paid off in instalments by cattle farmers, the two organisations aim to boost the economic position of African families. Trioliet has financed more than 80 lease cows to date.
Trioliet is also partnered with the Wakibi Foundation, which provides direct financial support in the form of microfinancing to small entrepreneurs in developing countries. Like us, these entrepreneurs strive to improve their products and services through product development and process improvements, albeit on a more modest scale. On average, around five people benefit indirectly from each microloan. An example would be a woman in a developing country who, thanks to our support, can invest in melinjo (for vegetable crackers) and increase the sale of crisps. Thanks to our support, she can feed her children and send them to school. This investment may be modest in Dutch terms, but the impact for these entrepreneurs is significant.
Another fantastic cause is the foundation 100WEEKS for women. This foundation sends a modest amount of money by SMS every week to a selected group of women, who are free to decide how they spend it. Women know best what they and their children need first and foremost. Those who do what they are good at are quicker to climb out of the rut they find themselves in. By providing direct funding and empowering women in extreme poverty, they achieve remarkable results. In just 100 weeks, these women are able to stand on their own feet. Why 100 weeks? This is the average time it takes to get fully back on track.
Another foundation we support is Kinderfonds MAMAS (which supports children). MAMAS looks out for the most vulnerable children in South Africa. The foundation provides options for education, shelter, nutrition, clothing, safety and medical care, sport and play. Above all, it provides lots of loving attention for children from their birth through to securing their first job. In particular, we support Rearabilwe, a project in the town of Benoni, where violence, drug use and extreme poverty are widespread. Life is tough on children there, with many being neglected and some facing homelessness. MAMAS – comprising many strong local women – push back against this situation by standing up for these vulnerable children. Trioliet is proud to be at their side as they pursue their mission.
National goals
In addition to our commitment to international causes, we support and sponsor local, national charities. Every year, we give our employees the opportunity to support a charity of their choice in the form of a €500 donation (per employee). These charities can vary in focus from culture and sport to education, health and even Carnival. This allows us to contribute to local associations, national foundations and institutes.
One national foundation that Trioliet is delighted to support financially is muZIEum, where vision meets the world of the unseen. Here, the blind guide those gifted with sight. muZIEum opens visitors’ eyes by closing them for a brief period. With more than forty blind and visually impaired employees, they help visitors understand the life of someone with a visual impairment. How do people live if they are partially sighted or cannot see at all? The answers provided at muZIEum show visitors what they can do to contribute to a visibly better world. By providing employment for blind and visually impaired persons while simultaneously raising awareness and increasing engagement among the public, muZIEum increases the autonomy of visually impaired people in society. Trioliet embraces this wonderful initiative and is pleased to lend its support.