Investing in the community is an important part of Barclays sustainability strategy. We believe our business will benefit from contributing to the development and sustainability of the communities where we operate.

In 2007, we invested £52.4m in community projects around the world, and more than 43,000 colleagues in 26 countries were involved in our fundraising and volunteering initiatives.

We also made a step change towards globalising our community investment. As we grow outside the UK, our community investment should reflect that growing presence. In 2007, our investment outside the UK increased from 15% of the total (£6.9million) to 26% (£13.5million).

Another change in 2007 was giving more responsibility for budget allocations and spending to the different areas of our business. Within our overarching community investment framework, businesses can decide the causes which matter most in their communities – from tackling malaria in East Africa to helping reduce debt among elderly people in the UK.

Our work focuses on three areas

Banking on brighter futures

Banking on brighter futures is our flagship programme and allows us to use our financial skills and expertise to maximum effect to help people work towards financial independence and security. We’re clear that by aligning our community investment to our core business, we can make the maximum positive impact. Not only are we giving money but also bringing the power and capability of our organisation to tackle social issues. We’re focusing our efforts on financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, education and helping people into employment.

 

Looking after local communities

To enable us to fulfil our local responsibilities, Looking after local communities is about investing in the many neighbourhoods around the world where Barclays has a presence. Supporting causes that matter in local markets is one of the best ways that Barclays can meet specific needs and engage local stakeholders – be they customers, community representatives or colleagues.

 

Charity begins at work

Charity begins at work is a vital component of Barclays community investment programme. At its heart is the desire to engage and support our colleagues to get involved with the causes they care about most. We want to harness their energy, time and skills because we know they have a huge amount to give – and gain – by being involved.

 

Our exclusions

Barclays has a community investment exclusions policy which identifies types of initiatives and causes that we do not fund. The community investment budgets cannot be used to support:

• Political parties or bodies
• Promotion of religious beliefs (we do consider projects lead by religious organisations provided the whole community benefits)
• Sponsorship of individuals
• Rotary, Lions Clubs and other third–party giving organisations
• Hospital costs for individuals
• Medical treatment and medical research
• Capital appeals (for example, for buildings)
• The arts (unless the donation provides direct support to a disadvantaged group)
• Micro–finance loan fund capital (donations can be used to support the establishment and operation of community motivated micro–finance programmes, but cannot be used as capital for on–lending direct to clients)