In 2011, we grouped all of the actions and programs that we undertake to benefit our society at large under the concept of Sustainability. This concept not only integrates all of our operations’ social, economic, and environmental aspects and actions, but also paves the way for our company’s sustainable development now and far into the future.
FEMSA Foundation
Is an independent organization aligned with FEMSA’s sustainability strategy. As the company’s instrument for social investment, we are committed to the creation of long-term value for the communities where we operate. During the past three years, the key has been to multiply our impact through comprehensive projects where our partners complement our efforts.
In 2011, we supported five times the number of people we benefited in 2010, and quadrupled the number of communities we helped improve. We brought projects to more Latin American countries, while continuing to replicate our initiatives across the region.
Sustainable Development of Water Resources
With the Colombian government and Coca-Cola FEMSA Colombia, and Coca-Cola Servicios de Colombia we donated 10 stationary water disinfection plants to local communities in 2011. Today, six plants are already installed and have benefited 40,000 people. We also funded the donation and operation of a mobile drinking water plant that generates one liter of clean water per second, helping more than 75,000 people throughout the country. In alliance with Empresas Públicas de Medellín, we are funding a two-year project to install 60 drinking water systems in rural schools of the department of Antioquia. To date, 32 plants are already in place, benefiting over 3,600 children, their families, and communities.
In 2011, we united with The Nature Conservancy, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Global Environment Facility (GEF) to create the Latin American Water Funds Partnership. With investments of more than US$ 27 million, the Partnership plans to create, implement, and fund at least 32 Water Funds throughout Latin America over the next five years. Revenue from these investments preserve key lands upstream that filter and regulate the water supply.
The Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean —created with the IDB and the Tecnológico de Monterrey—trained over 200 directors and technical personnel of the water community in 2011. Its research projects have received national and international recognition. One of its young students represented Mexico at the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize, organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute.
Quality of Life
In the Quality of Life area, in October 2011, we partnered with the IDB, Chiapas State Health Institute, Sabin Institute, Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Pan-American Health Organization to deploy a strategy aimed at the eradication of trachoma. Chiapas is the only state in Mexico afflicted with this disease, the first cause of infectious blindness in the world. Through an integration of safe water initiatives and health programs, we can eliminate the disease from the country.
We continued the study of the relationship between genes and nutrition through our Nutrigenomics Research Chair. In collaboration with the FEMSA Biotechnology Center and the Salvador Zubirán National Institute for Medical Sciences and Nutrition, the Chair finished a strong second year. Today, it conducts 17 research projects—from techniques to grow plants that are rich in anticancer molecules, to intelligent and biodegradable packaging.
Is an independent organization aligned with FEMSA’s sustainability strategy. As the company’s instrument for social investment, we are committed to the creation of long-term value for the communities where we operate. During the past three years, the key has been to multiply our impact through comprehensive projects where our partners complement our efforts.
In 2011, we supported five times the number of people we benefited in 2010, and quadrupled the number of communities we helped improve. We brought projects to more Latin American countries, while continuing to replicate our initiatives across the region.
Sustainable Development of Water Resources
With the Colombian government and Coca-Cola FEMSA Colombia, and Coca-Cola Servicios de Colombia we donated 10 stationary water disinfection plants to local communities in 2011. Today, six plants are already installed and have benefited 40,000 people. We also funded the donation and operation of a mobile drinking water plant that generates one liter of clean water per second, helping more than 75,000 people throughout the country. In alliance with Empresas Públicas de Medellín, we are funding a two-year project to install 60 drinking water systems in rural schools of the department of Antioquia. To date, 32 plants are already in place, benefiting over 3,600 children, their families, and communities.
In 2011, we united with The Nature Conservancy, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Global Environment Facility (GEF) to create the Latin American Water Funds Partnership. With investments of more than US$ 27 million, the Partnership plans to create, implement, and fund at least 32 Water Funds throughout Latin America over the next five years. Revenue from these investments preserve key lands upstream that filter and regulate the water supply.
The Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean —created with the IDB and the Tecnológico de Monterrey—trained over 200 directors and technical personnel of the water community in 2011. Its research projects have received national and international recognition. One of its young students represented Mexico at the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize, organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute.
Quality of Life
In the Quality of Life area, in October 2011, we partnered with the IDB, Chiapas State Health Institute, Sabin Institute, Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Pan-American Health Organization to deploy a strategy aimed at the eradication of trachoma. Chiapas is the only state in Mexico afflicted with this disease, the first cause of infectious blindness in the world. Through an integration of safe water initiatives and health programs, we can eliminate the disease from the country.
We continued the study of the relationship between genes and nutrition through our Nutrigenomics Research Chair. In collaboration with the FEMSA Biotechnology Center and the Salvador Zubirán National Institute for Medical Sciences and Nutrition, the Chair finished a strong second year. Today, it conducts 17 research projects—from techniques to grow plants that are rich in anticancer molecules, to intelligent and biodegradable packaging.
