Courage to spark change.
© UNICEF/UN0561629/Urdaneta
Ahlström Collective Impact (ACI) is an internationally recognized bold initiative, that through its partnership with UNICEF Finland, the UN organization for child rights, adds value to the purpose as well as business value to Ahlström network companies, while achieving significant change in the global society.
Ahlström Collective Impact unites public and private companies, foundations, shareholders and employees to act together with UNICEF Finland to support the realization of selected United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. During 2021 they are SDG 4,5 and 17 and the joint investments will be directed to UNICEF’s global education program, supporting SDG 4.
ACI to date consists of A.Ahlström, Ahlström Invest, Ahlstrom, Walter Ahlström Foundation, Destia, Detection Technology, Glaston, M&J Recycling, Avain Yhtiöt and Suominen Corporation as well as its initiator the Eva Ahlström Foundation in joint partnership with UNICEF Finland.
Vision
Our vision is a world in which societal problems are systematically being solved through strong collaborations, creating a better world for future generations.
Purpose
Our purpose is to, in partnership with UNICEF, inspire new types of mutually beneficial collaborations between businesses and their stakeholders in collectively channeling resources and know-how towards solving the most pressing challenges in today’s society.
Ahlström collective impact
Together we are stronger
Ahlström Collective Impact (ACI) is a responsibility initiative by The Eva Ahlström Foundation that joins together the foundation and the Ahlström Network companies A. Ahlström, Ahlström Invest, Ahlstrom, Destia, Detection Technology, Glaston, Suominen and Walter Ahlström Foundation. Ahlström Collective Impact is committed to creating change by investing in a better future for children in joint partnership with UNICEF Finland.
The Sustainable Development Goals aim to eradicate poverty and hunger, achieve health and equality as well as provide good education and access to clean water for everyone by 2030. In order to achieve this we must change our way of thinking and acting, as well as how we treat each other. We need to start seeing the world and its resources through a new, gender-neutral lens. If we want to eradicate poverty and inequality – the two major causes of terrorism, conflicts and migration – we must change together, and together change our society and our world from scratch.
All partners in Ahlström Collective Impact have committed to a long-term partnership with UNICEF Finland. The ACI is managed and coordinated by a steering committee, consisting of 1 member per company/organisation and UNICEF. The ACI team selects common long-term and strategic SDG goals to work with during the following years. The partnership also aims to engage employees of the companies in support for the work for children’s rights worldwide.
Collaboration with UNICEF
World Children's Day
To achieve our goals, ACI focuses on active communication and engagement, collaborating with UNICEF Finland, and supporting our network companies in this work. This involves organizing activities such as World Children’s Day in our network companies, conducting training programs and campaigns to raise awareness of children’s rights, and integrating the children’s perspective into business operations by altering policies and processes throughout the entire value chain.
Ahlström Collective Impact celebrates World Children’s Day together with UNICEF Finland. United Nations’ World Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote children’s rights and welfare. Ahlström Collective Impact joins forces with UNICEF Finland to raise awareness about the well-being of the new generations as part of the World Children’s Day celebrations.
Watch the video to learn more about Ahlström Collective Impact and child rights.
Engaging employees
ACI Ambassadors
The Ahlström Collective Impact Ambassador program is an opportunity for all employees and shareholders within the Ahlström Network to contribute to the selected United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by driving and implementing ACI related initiatives and events locally. Ambassadors are chosen from the respective ACI companies. The full Ambassador Group meets a few times/year to discuss upcoming events and uses LinkedIn as its internal communications channel.
UNICEF Reports
Our impact for children 2020-2022
Education’s critical role in reducing inequality, poverty, and societal stability was emphasized, as it contributes to sustainable development and lifelong learning skills. UNICEF focused on helping children return to school and improve foundational skills, working closely with governments to enhance education systems, promote inclusion, and gender equity. UNICEF’s dedicated efforts in 2022 aimed to equip children with skills for life, work, and learning, with a workforce deployed to regions, countries, and remote areas where needs are greatest. Ahlström Collective Impact provided significant support to UNICEF’s Global Education Program in 2022. This report summarizes UNICEF’s collaborative efforts in 2022 to advance children’s education.