Relations with Society

As in previous years, in 2016, Efacec actively participated in civil society. Initiatives were carried out, both on an individual basis, through direct support provided by the company, and via partnerships with various institutions. As far as Efacec is concerned, giving back to society is an opportunity to show the importance that is attributed internally to the topics of economic and social sustainability, by contributing actively towards maintaining a healthy and sustainable community.

The indicators presented reflect Efacec’s activity with Civil Society during 2016, with a special note for the following initiatives:

SKILL VOLUNTEERING: THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PORTUGAL PROGRAMME

On 23rd May at Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, “Junior Achievement Portugal”, a partner of Efacec for volunteering, presented 31 mini-companies created by young entrepreneurs from secondary and vocational education and study progression from all over the country, who competed in the ninth national competition of the programme “A Empresa” (The Company).

In total, 155 students from 16 municipalities presented their business proposals, competing for the award of best mini-company.

The students presented their mini-companies before a jury comprising employees from various companies and organisations, which included Efacec. Consequently, as a prize to the students, Efacec awarded them the possibility of doing an on-the-job internship for five days.

Efacec has already renewed its commitment to “Junior Achievement Portugal”, by confirming the participation of a significant number of employees in the volunteering programmes that will take place in 2017.

SUPPORT TO THE ANDEAN POPULATIONS OF AYQUINA, CUPO, TOCONCE AND CASPANA

In the Andean settlements of Ayquina, Cupo, Toconce and Caspana, Efacec installed lighting, cooling and freezing systems, whose power is provided by off-grid photovoltaic systems. This project was carried out with the support of the local municipalities and protocols signed with the Calama municipality and the indigenous communities in the region.

Within the context of installing photovoltaic parks, Efacec also had the opportunity to create various jobs in construction, operation and maintenance.

SUPPORTING UNIVERSITIES AND THE ASSOCIATION MOVEMENT

During the first half of 2016, Efacec became a member of INEGI (Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), of the Conseil de Cooperation Economique, the Porto Business School and the French-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce.

Efacec sponsored the Fórum Internacional das Comunidades Inteligentes e Sustentáveis (International Forum for Intelligent and Sustainable Communities) held in May, in Braga, and was a speaker on the topic of smart energy grids.

Among other events, it sponsored the Grand Conference 2016 organised by Porto Business School, the seminar of the 10th Anniversary of Associação Portuguesa para a Normalização e Certificação Ferroviária, Porto University’s Congresss and Meet 2030, an event from the Portuguese subsidiary of the Business Council for Sustainable Development.

In July 2016, Efacec loaned its facilities for a workshop to be held for publicising the Objectives of Sustainable Development, a session also organised by the Portuguese subsidiary of the Business Council for Sustainable Development.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND VISITS

Representing the Ministry of the Environment, the Minister of the Environment, Mr. João Matos Fernandes and the Deputy Secretary of State for the Environment, Mr. José Mendes, visited Efacec on 8th April 2016. Equally, representing the Ministry of the Economy, the Secretary of State for Industry, Mr. João Vasconcelos, visited the company on 28th May 2016. These visits took place at the Maia site, favouring the activities regarding Electric Mobility and Automation, considered to be areas with an indispensable contribution towards the development of the so-called green economies, recognised as being technologically innovative by these Government representatives.

Also of note is the visit by the Tunisian Ambassador, Mme. Saloua Bahri, which took place on 4th May 2016, to the manufacturing operations for Distribution/Power Transformers and Switchgear in Arroteia, and Automation in Maia.

OTHER IMPORTANT INITIATIVES FOR CIVIL SOCIETY

In 2016, donations from employees were collected for the Bombeiros Voluntários Portuenses (voluntary firemen) and for the Social Store in Senhora da Hora.

Within the scope of the company’s involvement in the Porto City Council’s programme “Porto de Futuro”, Efacec continued to be represented by a manager at all the meetings of the Governing Council of Escola Secundária Filipa de Vilhena that were held in 2016.

In January 2016, Efacec offered office furniture to the institution Refood Maia. Efacec also cooperated with Obra do Frei Gil by offering to print the promotional materials for the Laço Azul campaign.

Efacec was a case study in the “Innovation Now!” 2016 from BEST Aveiro, an annual symposium for sharing ideas, knowledge and experiences among professionals and students who deal with innovation in their daily lives. Around 30 students from different areas at Universidade de Aveiro participated in the case study that was presented, which was dedicated to the topic of “Electric Mobility, an indispensable area undergoing expansion”. The winning team presented its work which was awarded for its degree of innovation, the viability of the projects and the impact for Efacec.

Efacec also gave a lecture, presenting its areas of activity, organisational structure, its relationship as a partner of the academy and the way to promote innovation. It also participated in the Round Table “Where do good ideas come from”.

Environmental Performance