Fundo Vale initiative aims to create a community of employees interested in the subject of positive social and environmental impacts
The Vale Impact Network, an initiative created by Fundo Vale’s innovation area to form a community of employees from all areas of Vale interested in the theme of positive social and environmental impacts, is already a success. The program, carried out in partnership with Ago Social, has now attracted 280 people and it had its fourth monthly meeting on July 27, featuring the special participation of cosmetics company Natura.
The Vale Impact Network’s meetings aim to disseminate general knowledge about positive impact generation, allowing participants to assess whether they want to join the “Mentoring Journey” – a training course to enable them to directly mentor startups focused on businesses with environmental and social benefits. In addition, the meetings serve as a launchpad for training days, when Fundo Vale offers the group the opportunity to train as mentors for startups with social and environmental impacts.
“The participants’ engagement is remarkable. The Vale Impact Network’s meetings have been well attended and diversity is a strong point of the program. The network brings together employees of different ages, genders and areas of activity, and there are many women involved,” says Giovana Gohr Serenato, head of Fundo Vale’s innovation area.
Mentoring Journey
The Mentoring Journey is a Vale Impact Network initiative aimed at employees who have decided to become mentors. It is a specialized training course that prepares volunteers to support startups on various fronts, such as defining and validating their business model, building a network of contacts, managing people, strategic vision, communication and product development, among others.
Currently, 74 members of the Vale Impact Network are taking part in the journey as mentors, supporting the development of 20 businesses in groups of three or four people. Most of the startups being mentored are from Brazil’s North Region, 90% have up to five employees, 38% are in the process of defining their business model and 43% had no revenue in 2023.
Camila Silva, senior social responsibility analyst in Vale’s Restitution and Social Rehabilitation Area, is a member of the Vale Impact Network. She has 25 years of experience at Vale: the first 20 in HR and the last five in the Reparation Department. She accepted the challenge, offering her expertise in people development and management, strengthening of networks, the circular economy, and diversity and inclusion, among other areas.
“For the mentors it’s an excellent opportunity for professional and personal development, as well as enabling people working at the company to contribute more actively to environmental and social issues. The climate agenda and protection of the Amazon concern us all. The program brings us closer to real possibilities, letting us share knowledge and contribute to actions with a social and environmental impact. For me, it’s an excellent opportunity for development, collaborative work and action,” says Silva.
“The Vale Impact Network’s mission is to create among participants a sense of belonging to our commitment to generating positive impact, as well as showing how large companies can be catalysts for positive change, driving sustainable innovation,” adds Serenato.