Seven multi-nationals that are helping local communities in Belgium

Staff at big American corporations in Belgium donate more than 50,000 hours of their time and more than €2m to worthwhile causes in the local community each year, according to a new study published today by the American Chamber of Commerce.

With about 900 US firms in Belgium, employing some 140,000 staff, the report found multi-nationals were involved in areas ranging from disability and poverty to education, health and sports - with a particularly strong focus on youth issues.

"Most community impact projects are in line with the more pressing societal needs in Belgium – the ones where the state and civil society organisations tend to lack adequate resources," the new report says, adding: "It could be said that there are direct benefits that flow to the local community from having a US company in your area."

Examples range from sponsoring an after-school sports programme for underprivileged youth to organising a job skills training workshop for recent migrants. Here are seven big multi-nationals that are giving something back to their local area in Belgium:

Teaching tech to migrants
Staff at computer giant IBM, based in Haren, provide IT workshops to immigrants, working with the not-for-profit association Brussel Onthaal. Employees show new arrivals in Belgium how to use a PC and the basics of the internet.

Girls in science
Another tech multi-national with a presence in Belgium, Cisco, provides lecturers for the Greenlight for Girls day, which is designed to inspire girls aged 11-16 to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Supporting organ transplant patients
PC manufacturer Dell, in Limburg province, supports an initiative called Transplantoux, which helps recent surgery patients recover from their organ transplant through being active in sport. The ultimate goal for some is to cycle up the infamous Mont Ventoux in France.

Starting a business
Mastercard employees teach entrepreneurship to young people from low-income backgrounds, in partnership with YouthStart. The aim of the project is to provide hands-on and interactive learning across the range of skills and capabilities required to build, launch and run a small business.

Helping disabled children and their carers
Insurance giant AIG, with a Belgian base in Ixelles, works with the not-for-profit Les Fauteuils Volants, where AIG employees spend a day to support children with physical disabilities for fun activities and assistance, also giving the families of the children the opportunity to have a day off.

Research into young runaways
Delivery firm FedEx is funding a research study on the profile and experiences of young runaways between 12 and 17 years old. The project is a partnership with the welfare charity Child Focus and a group of academics.

Visiting children in care
Another logistics firm, UPS, has an employee volunteer scheme at a Liège children's home, L'Espoir, which gives shelter and support for three to 18-year-olds who have been placed there by a court because of their difficult family environment. UPS staff take the children on outings and also help with practical jobs such as gardening, painting and repair work.

American Chamber of Commerce Belgium chief executive Marcel Claes says: "In addition to creating jobs, contributing to government revenues and investing heavily in R&D, US companies are also actively engaged in the local community through a vast array of projects which help advance overall societal well-being.

"Through volunteering, donations and partnerships, US companies in Belgium show genuine engagement and a real concern for the well-being of our local community."

Photo: Greenlight for Girls/Cisco G4G Day