Relations with Regions of Operation
Developing the regions of operation is one of the key components of the Company’s sustainable development agenda.
The Company manages issues in this regard at several levels: at the level of the Management Company, which determines the strategic vector for developing the social agenda within the Social Policy and Corporate Communications Directorate and the Social Policy Department under its control, and at the level of the Company’s enterprises.
The multi-tiered management approach ensures the effectiveness of the social agenda through a detailed study of issues at the local level, quality monitoring of the needs of specific regions, and the use of advanced tools that are developed at the corporate level taking into account the experience of the regions.
The Company continued to support the regions of operation during the reporting period by implementing corporate development programmes and programmes to support social infrastructure development. Corporate development programmes aim to integrate innovative approaches to the development of the regions of operation and support non-profit organisations, while programmes to support and develop social infrastructure entail investments in municipal and regional projects that are initiated jointly with local authorities.
Metalloinvest acts within the framework of tripartite socioeconomic partnership agreements that have been concluded with the administrations of the cities and regions in all the regions where it operates. Such an approach to interaction makes it possible to effectively identify areas for engagement and direct resources to solve the most pressing problems.
Dialogues with stakeholders on the sustainable development in Regions of Operation in 2018
102-21, 102-43
The Company’s social investments significantly contribute to the creation of a favourable and comfortable social environment in the regions of operation and are made based on the principles of transparency, open dialogue, and the involvement of all stakeholders. Dialogues with stakeholders are held at the end of the year and include a review of the results of collaboration and a discussion of priorities for the future.
A roundtable attended by the heads of Metalloinvest enterprises, representatives of the business community, municipal authorities, local communities, and associations was held on 26 February 2019 to review the results of 2018. The roundtable participants discussed the creation of factors for the sustainable development of Stary Oskol and Gubkin and heard a presentation on Metalloinvest’s results in terms of the Company’s contribution to the development of the cities. Matters discussed at the event included responsible business management, Metalloinvest’s strategy, the Company’s social policy, and their correlation with the socioeconomic development strategy of the Belgorod Region. In addition, the dialogue featured a survey of stakeholders that aimed to formulate a list of significant topics for this Report and determine their degree of materiality.
In addition to the annual dialogues, the Company regularly takes part in meetings initiated by the municipal authorities. During a meeting with the mayor of Stary Oskol in 2018 that was attended by city residents and business representatives, Metalloinvest Social Policy and Corporate Communications Director Yulia Mazanova spoke about the Company’s mission, activities to support the regions of operation, and plans for the future.
Regular dialogues with stakeholders in the regions where Metalloinvest operates enabled the Company to promptly respond to the issues that were raised. In particular, the development of infrastructure and support for entrepreneurship became key areas of common interest during the reporting period. Metalloinvest quickly responded to the suggestions it received and implemented a number of projects on the matters that were addressed. In addition, representatives of the local community expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Company for its positive socioeconomic impact on the development of the regions.
Otkliknis! corporate volunteering programme for employees
Total budget of the corporate volunteering programme: RUB 2 million
Number of volunteers: more than 140 people
Number of projects completed: 10 projects
Metalloinvest launched a corporate volunteering programme in 2018. The Company’s employees are the core and key resource of the programme. They have been given the opportunity to develop their own potential, in particular effective time management skills, communication skills, and other professional and personal skills, contribute to the development of society and reap the benefits of their activities, and also strengthen the corporate culture.
Principles of the corporate volunteering programme:
- voluntary participation;
- gratuitousness;
- facilitate the implementation of the Company's key values;
- openness and partnership;
- development.
Objectives that the programme aims to meet:
- expand employees’ involvement in the social life of the regions;
- solve significant social problems faced by cities;
- develop local communities and involve citizens in social and city events;
- develop employees and establish the Company’s personnel brand;
- boost employee loyalty and recognise colleagues’ achievements.
The programme was launched in Stary Oskol and Gubkin with motivational and educational sessions for volunteers.
Events in which corporate volunteers took part in 2018 include the following:
| Stary Oskol | Gubkin |
| Assistance to a crisis centre for women
Volunteer events with the centre’s wards at the Zhelezno! Community Prevention Centre |
Accessible game – a campaign for children with disabilities on a specialised playground |
| Clean Shore clean-up campaign as part of the Let’s Do It! International Environmental Campaign | Maple Day – an environmental campaign at the Belogorye reserve |
| Rock for Stray Animals – a fundraising campaign to raise funds to support animal shelters | Efficiency Champion – mentoring programme for students on the matter of lean production 22 lessons organised by volunteers at four Gubkin schools among 7th grade students |
| Superheroes Save New Year – New Year’s events for children with disabilities | Cycle race at the Orlyonok Sports Complex dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Kursk |
| Regular assistance to the Four Paws animal shelter | |
| Good First of September – collection of stationery for low-income families for 1 September |
Plans for 2019–2020:
In 2019, Metalloinvest plans to scale up the programme and launch it in the cities of Novotroitsk and Zheleznogorsk. There are also plans to have nominations for volunteer initiatives under the Let’s Do It Together! programme.
The initiative will continue with the launch of a corporate educational volunteer programme in 2019.
