Overview - Skandia

Skandia
Skandia's business concept is to meet people's need for financial security, with corporate social responsibility playing an integral role in the business.

Nordic: The flagship project for the Nordic region is Ideas for Life. Started in 1987, Ideas for Life works preventively and long-term, providing activities for children and youth organised under the guidance of parents and teachers. The work takes place in close co-operation with municipalities, schools and other organisations. The Ideas for Life Organisation consists of a central unit through which co-operation projects are directed by a project co-ordinator. Skandia offers professional guidance and support, but also financial support depending on the objective of the project.

Europe and Latin America: Skandia Switzerland supported a wide variety of charities and causes in 2006, including participation in the 'Hard Work in the Alps' initiative, where employees helped farmers work their land. Skandia donated these workers days. In Spain, staff gave over €15,700 through direct contributions and donations linked to their Christmas cards. Over €5,300 was donated to Oxfam to help buy Christmas presents for local good causes. In Poland, Skandia supported a family football picnic along with the Scandinavian Polish Chamber of Commerce. Every year Skandia Vita in Italy donates money for the distribution of Christmas gifts to social associations and in 2006 money was also donated to Un Altro Mondo for its activities in a school in Senegal. Each member of the Skandia Germany Steering Group gave one week to work in a social institute in Berlin. Support was also provided through donations of equipment and consulting services. €10,000 was given to Schmetterlingskinder in Austria, a charity that supports children with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic condition that leaves them with extremely fragile skin.

Skandia UK: Skandia UK gave over £25,000 to charities through employee support and matching during 2006. The largest recipient was Hampshire Air Ambulance, which received just under £10,000 from staff and another £5,000 in matching from Skandia. Another charity supported by Skandia UK was the Teenage Cancer Trust, which builds cancer units for teenagers in hospitals. The third charity supported by the staff at Skandia UK was Children in Need. In total over £3,600 was donated through the fund-raising efforts of staff at the Southampton Office.

Skandia UK is the title sponsor for the annual sailing regatta at Cowes, known as Skandia Cowes Week, which is one the largest, longest-running and most prestigious international sailing regattas in the world. Around 1,000 boats take part each year.