Community

After being officially launched in September 2010 to more effectively and efficiently manage the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of the Bank, the MCB Forward Foundation has continuously geared up its capabilities in order to act as an adequate point of convergence for the design and implementation of specific initiatives intended to further our engagement with the society and its people. The value proposition of the Foundation is described below.

MCB Forward Fondation
Why the Foundation	To help meet the social and environment challenges of our country
Mission	To develop and support sustainable initiatives for the benefit of the community in which we live and work
Vision	To be instrumental in the creation of sustainable value for the social, environmental and economic well-being of the community

Overall, pursuant to the Government's measure mandating companies to set up an annual CSR Fund representing 2% of their book profit derived during the preceding year, the Foundation was entrusted with a fund of Rs 43.9 million for FY 2010/11, representing the relevant contribution by the MCB Ltd. and its local subsidiaries. After allowing for administrative costs, a global sum of Rs 40.9 million was spent on a total of 69 projects as detailed in the following table. These include 49 projects which were identified from an overall submission of 212 pursuant to the launch of an 'Appel A Projets' in September 2010 during which the Foundation met with some 80 NGOs to listen to their difficulties and make out how to meet their needs more effectively. In addition, the Foundation has, during the last financial year, built up and reinforced its strategic partnerships with other stakeholders, notably other CSR organisations, the Central Government and public sector entities, and international bodies such as the UN and the EU. Furthermore, in an attempt to bolster its capacity to discharge its duties, the Foundation set up two dedicated platforms on 'education' and 'substance abuse' which resulted in strong networking with private sector institutions and fostered the sharing of best practices. A key achievement thereof is the setting up, in association with various other companies, of a Technical NGO Platform created to deliberate on the ways and means to advocate for the formulation of a National Drug Control Masterplan. Looking beyond such collaboration, the Foundation anchored its involvement with its stakeholders on fitting enablers, notably (i) the empowerment of fund beneficiaries via specialist training to NGOs in order to equip them with the right tools to successfully complete projects for which they are responsible, and (ii) the leveraging of the network of branches to sensitize staff on social realities and encourage them to get involved in projects, alongside reaching out to the community.

The following table provides an overview of the breakdown of expenditure by activity for a total amount of Rs 40.9 million spent by the Foundation as previously mentioned. However, considering that the Bank's involvement as a socially responsible and caring institution encompasses a broader sphere than endeavours approved by the National CSR Committee, to which the above figure relates, the effective contribution of the MCB to the community stood at a higher amount during FY 2010/11. It is also worth noting that no political donations were made.

	Rs '000
Eradication of Absolute Poverty	15,499
Vulnerable Children	15,038
Education	6,810
Environment	2,956
Building Social Capital	100
Sports	500
Total	40,903

Support programmes of the MCB Forward Foundation:

Education

• Les Amis de Zippy - A Programme to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of the school community.
• Loreto College Port-Louis - Restructuring the school garden and setting up a Hydroponic green house
• MCB Rodrigues Scholarship - sponsorship of three students from vulnerable groups to pursue post-secondary studies at the University of Mauritius.

Eradication of Absolute Poverty

• MCB Football Academy (MCBFA) - Football is not a panacea but it can contribute to the development of the children and help their social integration. Training sessions are provided to more than 600 vulnerable children aged between 7-10 years from the regions of St Hilaire, Poste de Flacq, Grand Bay, Camp Levieux every Saturday conditional upon school attendance. A fifth Academy was officially launched in June 2011at Pailles. In May 2011, a new Academy was also set up in Rodrigues at Patate Theophil which registered 140 children. In addition, community projects have been initiated to assist family members to move out of poverty and become economically empowered.
• Association Femme Agricultrice Nouvelle Découverte Rodrigues - Integrated Farming Project to alleviate poverty.
• United Skills Workers Cooperative Society Ltd - Purchase of a Button Hole Industrial Machine to generate income for members with a physical handicap.

Vulnerable Children

• Association des Malades et Handicapés de L'Est - Empowerment of physically & mentally handicapped children through physiotherapy sessions
• Joie de Vivre Universelle - setting up of specialised education programme for children suffering from mental deficiencies.
• Nou Nouvo Baz - Educational Support to 12 pre-primary and 8 primary school children of teenage mothers
• Centre de L'amitié - Ensuring the proper foundation for learning and development of underprivileged pre-primary school children
• College du St Esprit Rivière Noire - Bridging the gap between the school and parents to raise awareness on importance of education for the social and economic progress of their children

Environment

• Association Pour Le Développement Durable (ADD) - Replanting of mangroves in the coastal region of Le Morne to enhance marine biodiversity and contribute to poverty alleviation of the community
• Mission Verte - Organic composting in rural areas

Staff Involvement

• A Nou Pren Kont Nou Zenfan - MCB Staff offered assistance to parents and children of MCBFA Camp Levieux during sessions of Functional Literacy and Parental Life Skills Programmes.
• Group Risk SBU staff members collaborated with the community of Le Morne Village in a sustainable initiative of replanting mangroves along the coast.
• MCB Veterans Football Club spent half a day with children of MCBFA Pailles to reinforce values of integrity, teamwork, trust and respect among others
  

As afore mentioned, several other social, educational and environmental projects were funded beyond the CSR budget, predominantly those initiatives forming part of 'Initiative 175'.

• Education

  • MCB Foundation Scholarship awarded to the student ranked next in line to those eligible for the State of Mauritius scholarships on the economics side;
  • Distribution of education materials to needy children; organisation of drawing, spelling and picture competitions for children

• Environment protection

  • Baskets placed in all business units for the collection of waste paper for recycling; used cartridges and toners as well as old batteries also collected
  • Composting of the organic waste of MCB's canteen
  • Sponsorship of daily 5-minute TV programme, Eco TV, to sensitise the population and teach them 'green' practical tips