≈UAH 8 mln program aims to address challenges as communities in Ukraine rebuild from COVID-19 with a focus on three partnerships:
- Providing logistical support to “Kiev City Charity Foundation “Food Bank” (“KCCF “Food Bank”) to distribute 25% more meals over the next year to help improve security;
- Implement an incubator program to cultivate future entrepreneurs with Global Compact Ukraine; and,
- Provide access to clean water to approximately 5,000 people in water scarce communities in partnership with CF Blagomay.
Kyiv, 17 December, 2021 – The impacts of the pandemic have been challenging for marginalized communities across the world. To help provide sustainable solutions and long-term pandemic relief, PepsiCo is today announcing three new programs in partnership with leading organizations in Ukraine: KCCF Foodbank (Foodbank), Charitable Foundation Blagomay (CF Blagomay) and Global Compact Ukraine. Through an investment of ≈UAH 8 mln, the partnership aims to provide impacted communities and families access to food, water and upskilling opportunities for economic growth and community wellbeing. The programs will run throughout 2022 . The local arm of PepsiCo in Ukraine has had long-standing relationships with the Food Bank and CF Blagomay, and will be launching a new partnership with Global Compact in Ukraine.
Since 2011, the Food Bank has partnered with food manufacturers, retailers and farmers to address food insecurity through uniting, preventing food waste, and helping to lessen malnutrition. The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, is providing a grant of $ 100,000 to invest in the storage infrastructure in the Kyiv region. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity increased significantly, causing the Foodbank to need more support with logistics and funding to meet community needs. The donation will improve the operational model of the foodbank that will benefit more than 300,000 people, increase the number and variety of foods distributed by roughly 25 percent in 2022, and will enable more than 5 million nutritious meals to be delivered to the communities most in need.
“Feeding people facing food malnutrition is about more than simply providing food. It’s about providing wellness, nourishment and strength. That’s why it’s our mission to provide the most nutritious food possible to improve people’s health and well-being”, says Volodymyr Ivanov, Head of the Board KCCF Foodbank.
Global Compact Network Ukraine is the official platform of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative that unites UN and businesses around the world and provides Sustainable Development Goals.
PepsiCo and UN Global Compact Network Ukraine’s partnership aims to create tangible impact by helping young entrepreneurs from FMCG sector to develop technical skills, fostering economic opportunity where it is most needed. The PepsiCo Foundation's donation of $115,000 will enable the creation of the Sustainable Agribusiness Accelerator, which will help 125 entrepreneurs empower themselves and develop their own business in their local communities. This program will support the economic development of communities in Ukraine, help to empower entrepreneurial minds, and support the development of capabilities required to build sustainable infrastructure in the country. As one of the biggest representatives of FMCG sector, PepsiCo in Ukraine will motivate its employees to volunteer, sharing best company’s practices and mentoring program participants.
“Ukraine has a huge potential for innovative ideas, and the UNGC Ukraine has the expertise to motivate young entrepreneurs to develop them and guide them towards the implementation of the SDGs. Together with The PepsiCo Foundation, we have the opportunity to scale our expertise to a wider audience and help young entrepreneurs launch their sustainable business projects”, – emphasized Tatiana Sakharuk, the Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine.
Access to clean potable water for at-water-risk communities is critical. Since 2013, PepsiCo Ukraine with the CF Blagomay have provided safe water access to over 8,000 people. Thanks to a new PepsiCo Foundation grant of $100,000, the partnership expansion with the CF Blagomay will provide access to clean water to an additional 5,000 people in need by 2022.
“Many thanks to our PepsiCo partners for their support and participation in the Clean Water project. We are very happy that our project improves the health of every child who lives in an orphanage where a water purification system is installed. After all, we all know that there is no healthier drink than pure water.. And for our team of the Blagomay Foundation, it is a great honor to be involved in such an important and large-scale aid project in Ukraine”, commented Tetiana Karapetian, Co-Founder at Blagomay charity fund.
These new donations build on PepsiCo’s efforts to support vulnerable communities during the height of the pandemic. In 2020, the company and PepsiCo Foundation together donated $2.5 million in Ukraine to support vulnerable groups by offering them meals, protect front-line medical workers and supply hospitals with modern equipment.
“PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation’s new programs aim to drive changes across key areas: nourishing communities, developing future skills and fostering economic opportunity. I believe that uniting efforts of responsible business, government, aid organizations and communities we serve we can rebuild the economy together. Remaining separate due to the COVID restrictions, we are ready to stay together with our partners and pay back to Ukrainians for choosing everyday PepsiCo products”, - says Olexander Kyselov, CEO of PepsiCo in Ukraine
Through collective efforts, the programs aim to create a lasting impact for communities and empower them to grow and thrive post-pandemic. This is the latest in a series of actions the company is taking as it delivers on its PepsiCo Positive commitment which is putting sustainability at the heart of our business and inspiring positive change for the planet and people.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
About The PepsiCo Foundation
Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.
