With our voluntary corporate commitment we strive to improve the quality of life and create lasting value for society based on our portfolio and know-how.
Corporate citizenship is Siemens’ voluntary commitment to delivering benefits for society in every country in which we operate. As defined by Werner von Siemens over 170 years ago, the company’s mission is to provide technologies that improve quality of life and create lasting value for society.
Based on the SDGs, we identify topics that are relevant for the development of a country and illustrate how we are making a positive contribution to achieving them. The goal of this approach is not to reduce the risks associated with the company’s business activities, but to give something back to the societies in which the company operates.
Thus, corporate citizenship is an important element of our company’s sustainability strategy, one that is embedded in our DEGREE framework, specifically the main focus is on “Equity”, which strengthens the identification of different target groups with the company, and on “Employability”, which is achieved through a range of training measures covering all phases of life.
Based on our core business and our competencies, we have defined three strategic focus areas for our activities, in which we realize partnerships that transform the everyday and pave society the way into future.
While many of us live in a safe and secure environment there are people who cannot rely on the social and societal network around them to offer reasonable security and access to basic provision. Therefore, at Siemens we strive to contribute to the sustainable development of the regions, in which we operate.
Everywhere in the world, people are adversely affected with the far-reaching consequences of both natural disasters and human-made catastrophes. We are determined to provide aid to those in need in the aftermath of disasters, providing immediate aid and crucial support and assistance to rebuild lives and communities together with the charitable organization Siemens Caring Hands.
Respect, Tolerance, Openness, and Diversity are the cornerstone values that have guided our success and will continue to strengthen us into the future. In alliance with over 30 prominent German companies, we collectively employ 1.7 million diverse individuals across Germany, all standing together for a unified Europe. Our shared commitment counters populism and supports an open, diverse society as the foundation of our prosperity.
The Siemens Arts Program fosters creativity, identity, and self-reflection by bridging art and business. It addresses future challenges through an artistic and cultural lens, shaping transformation in line with our values. Collaborating with leading artists and institutions, the Siemens Arts Program creates innovative projects that inspire and promote active participation, serving as a model for creativity within the company and society.
Making education accessible to all people is crucial to our future – and that of our company. This is why we work with hundreds of universities around the world and support several research collaborations. We want to spark enthusiasm in potential young scientists and engineers for relevant areas of learning like STEM and sustainability, and we want to provide them with the tools they need to tackle both current and future challenges.
Siemens is an engineering company, so it’s in our interest to do something about the lack of young people going to become engineers! The Curiosity Project is Siemens’ UK–wide engagement program, aimed at inspiring young people and bringing engineering-related subjects to life.
Siemens Scholarship Program, Dual VET at Government Industrial Training Institutes and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are initiatives by Siemens India that enable access to quality education to economically disadvantaged communities. So far, more than 16,000 students have been reached.
The "African Girls Can Code" program, launched by Siemens AG and UN Women, trains African girls and young women in ICT, coding, and leadership skills, highlighting education's role in tackling gender inequality and empowering women. In addition, over 600 participants are mentored by female Siemens employees through the SieMent EmpowHer initiative,
We want to share our knowledge in automation, digitization as well as intelligent infrastructure and make it accessible to people around the world. This know-how has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of many and give them new perspectives for the future.
Siemens is committed to empowering the next generation of digital talent with the skills employers need. Our projects in Argentina exemplify our global commitment and include digital competitions such as "LOGO! Creativity in Automation" as well as software licenses for university education.
Siemens' project Asha once has brought fundamental change to the living conditions of the entire village community of rural Amle. Meanwhile, 71 villages across India followed that great example. Integrated rural development using sustainable and inclusive technology has explicitly improved the living conditions of the 72 communities through clean water, healthcare, electrification, education and income generation.
Another way that Siemens helps people improve their life prospects with the aid of education is to provide laptops and digital devices to socially disadvantaged families in countries such as Germany, Portugal, Canada, and Singapore. These programs are accompanied by knowledge transfer workshops led by our people.
A significant factor in corporate responsibility at Siemens are our employee initiatives, which combine the company's commitment to society with our employees' wish to be more engaged on a personal level.
Corporate volunteering plays an important role in leveraging and promoting corporate citizenship at Siemens. Volunteering is an efficient way for individuals to make a difference in society and helps to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. By promoting the exchange of knowledge and good practices, we hope to further strengthen our employees’ commitment, and making a difference in the communities we live in. At Siemens, employees are enabled and empowered to do volunteer work twice a year.
Through the Cents4Sense donation initiative, Siemens employee shareholders worldwide have the opportunity to contribute the value of up to five dividends from their Siemens shares to support social projects. Every donation is then matched by the company.Since its launch in 2018, Cents4Sense has raised more than €1,200,000 for selected social projects run by Siemens Stiftung - a non-profit corporate foundation committed to promoting sustainable social development.Some highlights of the projects that have benefitted from donations so far can be found below. All past and future projects of Cents4Sense represent our commitment to creating a meaningful impact in society, providing access to education and technology, and striving to make a contribution to sustainable communities.
Improving the physical and mental well-being of children from disadvantaged backgrounds through empathetic and preventive educational measures. The focus is on health, education, and equal opportunities, with nationwide impact through STEM programs.
Supporting up to 100 women in rural areas to start their own businesses through training, mentoring, and networking. The aim is to build confidence, foster entrepreneurship, and drive sustainable growth in their communities.
Our own Corporate Citizenship initiatives are complemented by a global network of Siemens corporate foundations. Besides Siemens Stiftung there are six more Siemens foundations around the world, all integrated into the Global Alliance of Siemens Foundations. The Siemens foundations in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Denmark, France, and the US work at national level, while Siemens Stiftung, with its head office in Germany, works internationally.
As a non-profit foundation, Siemens Stiftung is committed to sustainable social development. The focus is on three thematic areas: Secured Essential Services, Climate & Sustainability, and Connected Societies. Siemens Stiftung is proactively shaping the necessary transformations required to address these challenges. By working with partners from the fields of Education, Social Entrepreneurship, and Arts & Culture, it strengthens collective learning and locally-based, sustainable structures. The projects and networks of Siemens Stiftung focus on Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
From the very beginning, being a good corporate citizen has been equally important to Siemens as pioneering in technology.
The interest of the group embodies a higher law that must take precedence over individual interests.
Werner von Siemens established a company pension fund shortly after the company's founding. Later the company also supported scientific research by donating funds and products to universities and colleges and played a key role in establishing Germany's first state-funded institution for basic research.
As Siemens expanded and matured, corporate citizenship became an integral part of its identity. Regional offices supported a variety of local projects, e.g., ranging from donations for orphaned and underprivileged children to financial contributions for the establishment of a retirement home.
On a global scale, the company provided aid for natural disasters such as earthquakes that struck Turkey and Italy in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1972, the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation was established. Today, the foundation continues to play an important role in promoting music education and performance. In 1983, the Ernst von Siemens Arts Foundation was founded to promote and foster visual arts.
Established in 1998, the Siemens Foundation has invested $150 million in the United States to support workforce development and health equity initiatives. The foundation partners with national organizations to create a more just and equitable society through workforce training and education
In 2001, Siemens launched Siemens Caring Hands e.V. in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, demonstrating the company's commitment to social responsibility and disaster relief. The charitable association established itself as a highly effective force, providing aid to communities in dire need around the world.
In 2017, the company introduced the Corporate Volunteering Framework, which offers two days of paid leave for employees to volunteer in their communities. Additionally, Siemens launched the Cents4Sense campaign, which allows employees to donate the value of their dividends to social projects by the Siemens Stiftung.
In 2008, the independent Siemens Stiftung was established to carry out long-term projects, aimed at making a sustainable contribution to social development. The foundation focuses on three key themes: Access to Essential Services, Connected Societies, and Climate & Sustainability.