Mission: Vopak WeConnect aims to foster volunteering for Vopak communities, to create a better future for young people and a more sustainable environment where they can thrive.

Projects or events that apply for support from the Vopak WeConnect should meet at least one of the two main goals:

1-  Empower young people & connect them to the world

This can be done by opening up new (professional) horizons and new paths to a sustainable and healthy life, and/or inspiring them to work with others across cultures, languages and social backgrounds.

2 -  Contribute to sustainable communities

Sustainability topics that are relevant to the local communities & are linked to one of the topics of Vopak’s Sustainability Roadmap. Preferred topics for 2024-25:

  • Nature & biodiversity
  • Inclusion & diversity
  • Innovation, New energies & sustainable feedstocks.


Target group

  • Young people in Vopak communities
    • Age 10-24
    • Up to 30 years in exceptional circumstances (high unemployment areas, refugees and emergency relief)
    • Underprivileged youngsters, with a particular focus on girls and young women
  • Underprivileged communities in general, in areas where Vopak operates and/or where its employees live


Vopak involvement

  • Project / event must be initiated by a Vopak or joint venture employee, who is also involved in the project execution
  • Project / event must be approved and supported by the Managing Director or site manager
  • Support or personal involvement of senior management and HR is highly recommended


Partner organization

  • Involvement of a local partner organization, like a school or NGO, is mandatory
  • Where applicable, involvement of a joint venture partner is strongly recommended


Sustainability

  • Teams are encouraged to link their project or event with sustainability topics that are key to local communities (see Vopak's Sustainability Roadmap for guidance).
  • Impact is measured; a final evaluation is mandatory. Continuation of multi-year projects is conditional on a positive year-end evaluation.
  • Project/event is in line with the Vopak Values, Code of Conduct and Sustainability Policy.
     

The Foundation makes a distinction between project and events

  • Vopak WeConnect projects build lasting relationships with local communities. They aim to be multi-annual. A project can be proposed and funded for up to 2 years in a single submission. Exceptions are at the discretion of the board.
  • Vopak WeConnect events aim for employees to engage with young people in the communities for a maximum of 1 day.