Leading methanol and ammonia producer Proman has today announced the launch of its first charitable entity, the Proman Foundation, in Trinidad and Tobago.
The foundation will create a new structure and embed an employee-led approach to the company’s long-term community engagement, skills development, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes nationally.
It will commence with an initial investment of US$1.65 million for the period 2022–2023. Through this allocation Proman will continue to build partnerships with local and global programme partners to deliver high-impact initiatives that will support Trinidad and Tobago in achieving its development aspirations.
In launching this initiative, Proman Trinidad’s Executive Director and Chairman of the Proman Foundation, Claus Cronberger, remarked:
“We are extremely proud to launch the Proman Foundation, which builds on our long-standing commitment to community support and development across Trinidad and Tobago. The Foundation enables our team to increase targeted support to initiatives delivering measurable and lasting impact, which are closely aligned with Proman’s core sustainability commitments. Most importantly, our employees will be at the heart of the foundation, actively engaged in every step of the process, from nominating, screening, and assessing each partnership, to volunteering their efforts to support the programmes that are delivering meaningful change within our communities.”
Cronberger continued, “I take this opportunity to thank all our charitable and NGO partners and supporters for their remarkable efforts to date, which have transformed the lives of so many. We look forward to continuing and expanding this work through our ongoing investment and partnerships.”
Projects supported by the foundation to registered NGOs and charities will be managed through a stringent selection criterion, guided by five main CSR pillars:
• Education & Skills Training
• Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability
• Arts & Culture
• Sports
• Community Development
These CSR pillars are aligned with Proman’s overarching sustainability objectives, which focus on long-term impact and skills development, as well as the company’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Proman Foundation is governed by a board of directors and supported by a dedicated employee CSR Committee who lead on coordinating and supporting the success of our partnerships, as well as ensuring transparent reporting and impact assessments.
To date, Proman is extremely proud of the flagship investments made by the foundation through our partner programmes with:
Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago
Merry Boys Cricket Club
Presentation College, San Fernando
Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra
Prince’s Trust International
The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)—MTCC Caribbean, Centre for Maritime and Ocean Studies
The University of the West Indies (UWI)
The Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association
One partnership which exemplifies Proman’s commitment to long-term skills development and lasting impact is with Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago. In the latest phase of this long-term partnership, we helped over 860 persons across the island through delivery of Habitat for Humanity’s Construction Technology Training programmes, provision of resilient roof retrofitting solutions, development of rainwater harvesting systems, and the completion of other construction projects to enable our communities to better withstand natural disasters.
Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago’s National Director, Jennifer Massiah, remarked:
“We firmly believe that for real transformation to take place throughout our nation, focus must be on community and youth engagement. Through our CARE disaster-mitigation programme (Creating A Resilient Community) with the Proman Foundation, families in Trinidad and Tobago are able to have their homes safely fortified against the adverse effects of high winds, floods, and other natural disasters. Additionally, our young adults with minimum construction skills are also building their capacity through a very intensive Construction Technology course, which adds to community empowerment. Together we are strengthening the capacities of our young people, while building resilient communities.”
Through the projects being implemented with our partners, we strive to always make a positive contribution across the communities we serve. As such, the Proman Foundation is committed to investing in initiatives that will deliver measurable and sustainable returns to our employees, our communities, and Trinidad and Tobago.