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Iberdrola held its 2024 International Volunteer Awards today at the headquarters of its UK subsidiary ScottishPower in Glasgow. With these awards, the company recognises the dedication and community-focus  of its most active volunteers, whose actions are channelled through its International Corporate Volunteering Programme.

Employees of ScottishPower, Avangrid (the company's North American subsidiary), Neoenergia (the group's Brazilian subsidiary) and Iberdrola España Pola Michalska, John Schenck, Layla Rebeca Gomes Costa and David Aldazábal received awards for their dedication and community-focus at an event hosted by BBC presenter Sally Magnusson, Sally Magnusson, and which was attended by berdrola's Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, the Mayor of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, and representatives of the charities with which the group works.

Pola Michalska received the Occupational Health and Safety Award for her dedication to the fight against cancer, a cause very close and relevant to her due to personal experiences. The ScottishPower employee shaved her head and donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children and young patients affected by the disease. She has also raised funds for Cancer Research UK.

John Schenck received the Commitment and Promotion Award for his outstanding involvement in Iberdrola's corporate volunteering activities in the United States, which he also publicised widely. Schenck, who was highlighted at the gala as having inspired a culture of social giving back, has dedicated some 1,330 hours to volunteering and contributed to 157 people joining Avaangrid's volunteer programme.

Layla Rebeca Gomes Costa won the Education Award in recognition of her great work in disseminating information about the risks of fraudulent use of the electricity grid in Brazil, a task in which she has been deeply involved, with the aim of reaching the youngest age groups. In this regard, he has been involved in the development of educational books and training courses for schoolchildren on the efficient and safe use of electricity.

Last but not least, David Aldazábal's contribution to a project to recover the forest mass of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve was rewarded with the Environment Award. Thanks to the work of many volunteers like David, some 10,000 trees of 25 different native species have been replanted in the aforementioned natural area. In addition to his involvement in this initiative, the distinguishing factor of this Iberdrola España employee has been his ability to involve numerous friends, family members and work colleagues in this and other reforestation, clean-up and biodiversity conservation actions.

After presenting the awards, Ignacio Galán said that these volunteers have made it clear, through their selfless work, that positive social impact is an essential element of the company's corporate identity.

‘With our volunteers, we help build stronger and more resilient communities, fostering a sense of unity and common purpose. Your efforts have made a difference in safeguarding the health and happiness of diverse people around the world. You perfectly exemplify the heart and culture of Iberdrola. Your dedication is a testament to the transformative power of volunteerism, a force that changes lives, revitalises communities and creates a ripple of positivity,’ he said.

Iberdrola's volunteering, a global benchmark for social action

This is the second edition of these awards, after the one held last year in Madrid, and is part of the International Volunteer Week organised by Iberdrola every year and simultaneously in the main countries where it operates. This year, it will be held from 28 September to 6 October under the slogan ‘I believe in create a better world’. During the event, the company organises multiple activities related to the environment and work in the community.

Iberdrola‘ s International Corporate Volunteering Programme is a global initiative that is in line with the group's values and its general sustainable development policy. It was established in 2006 as part of its commitment to encourage its teams to get involved in the worlds of the most disadvantaged people in our society, turning them into agents of change. Its actions already benefit 13 million people in 24 countries.

It has been recognised as a pioneering practice by the United Nations in its report ‘Transforming Lives and Communities’, published in September 2021. It was also awarded IMPACT2030's 2018 Innovation Award in recognition of its innovative approaches to advancing the SDGs through its human capital.