Philanthrophy

Created in 2007, the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation is one of the largest foundations in France, with a budget of €40 million over a five year period. It develops major global programmes deployed by all L’Oréal subsidiaries, together with “pilot” projects in France. It endeavours to establish genuine partnerships going beyond mere financial support, and to evaluate its actions on an ongoing basis. The objective of the Foundation is to give strength, coherence and continuity to the corporate citizenship of the Group, and to actively involve employees in the projects.

The Foundation has defined three missions, each reflecting the company’s values, focusing on scientific research, solidarity and respect for others and the transmission of knowledge.

SCIENCE
Since its creation by a research scientist a century ago, the Group has maintained the conviction that research is a source of innovation and progress to push out the boundaries of science and knowledge. The L’Oréal Foundation strives to promote scientific research and the place of women in science, by recognizing excellence, encouraging scientific vocations and investing in new areas of research.

For Women in Science Through the “For Women in Science” programme, L’Oréal and UNESCO have been actively supporting the cause of women scientists . Each year the programme puts the spotlight on highly eminent researchers and on young, talented fellows, while encouraging girls to take up scientific careers. Today the For Women in Science community form an extremely dynamic network throughout the world.

In 2009/2010, L’Oréal with the support of the UNESCO launched the Sub-Saharan Africa fellowships aimed at recognising the academic achievements of ten of the region’s top women graduates in all fields of science.

SOLIDARITY
The importance of one’s appearance is at the root of L’Oréal’s activity. Providing access to beauty is L’Oréal’s mission. This commitment is mirrored in the programs of the Foundation which support those made vulnerable by life, support them in re-establishing their positive self-image, and help them to feel better by caring for their appearance so that they can return to a normal life.

The “Beauty from the Heart” programme created by the Foundation involves the donations of cosmetic and personal care products. The programme aims to help people made vulnerable by illness or economic difficulty. “Beauty from the Heart” also supports studies to assess the efficiency of these programmes.

L’Oréal is a founding member of “Look Good…Feel Better” which is run through CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) in South Africa. The programme helps women facing the trauma and stress of cancer, assisting them to overcome the distressing appearance related side effects of their treatment.

Specially trained volunteer beauty professionals guide patients through the 12 step skin care and make up regime with each woman using her gift of products which she takes home to practice to make the very best of her appearance.
These hands-on sessions provide patients with the opportunity to forget about their illness and enjoy a time of pampering, fun and laughter. They meet and share with others going through similar experiences and, most importantly, look and feel better when they leave the session.

EDUCATION
The transmission of knowledge and the importance given to training and respect for diversity have always been integral to the L’Oréal model. Educating people and raising their awareness about the major challenges facing society in this century, such as the fight against AIDS, protection of the environment and facilitating access to knowledge for underprivileged people, all represent the Foundation’s third commitment.

HAIRDRESSERS AGAINST AIDS : Education is another cause to which the Foundation lends its support, for example through the “Hairdressers against AIDS” programme.
This preventive educational programme has mobilised the efforts of the hairdressing profession to raise awareness about this terrible disease. Launched in 2005 in partnership with UNESCO, the programme is now in place in 26 countries. It is based on the training expertise of L’Oréal, which has a network of 3,000 instructors and 190 training centres worldwide. Each year the awareness of over 400,000 hairdressers is heightened on the risks of the disease and ways to protect against it.