Article · 22 May 2020 · 2 min read · Katarzyna Kucia

CSR report: Polish business helps businesses and medics in the Covid pandemic

April was not an easy month for entrepreneurs, but they still managed to donate more than PLN 60 million to the health service. The second part of the report summarising corporate social responsibility during the coronavirus pandemic has just been published.

The report covers more than 100 small, medium-sized and large companies that decided in April to help the health service during the difficult time of the economic lockdown. The list includes companies that decided to support the fight against the coronavirus for the first time, as well as those whose involvement we also described in the April edition of the report.

Industry provides the most support

As in March, industrial companies are the largest group of donors (48%). Compared with March, this is an increase of 6%. The second most represented sector is trade and catering, followed closely by information and communication, at 9% and 7% respectively. The industrial sector alone donated approx. PLN 88 million in March and approx. PLN 25 million in April.

The largest single transfer to the health service in April was made by Grupa Warta. The company donated PLN 10 million to the fight against the coronavirus. Another of April's largest donors was the Polpharma Group, which donated 100 ventilators worth PLN 7 million. The group also provides free meals for medical staff.

Support from non-governmental organisations

NGOs and foundations also gave a lot of help in April: cash and in-kind donations as well as social campaigns. Notable initiatives include a broadcast organised by the Lesław A. Paga Foundation that answers current questions about seniors' health and finances, and Telefonpogadania.pl, a telephone support group that eases the effects of isolation, loneliness and sadness.

Company size does not matter

In a crisis, company size does not matter. SMEs have been just as willing to help, whether through cash donations, in-kind help or even by using their resources to produce complete face shields or masks. All over Poland, small groups of neighbours and co-workers, as well as individuals, also came together to help, most often by sewing masks.

The full report can be downloaded free of charge here. The second part of the report was prepared in cooperation with the Pro Bono Leaders Coalition (Koalicja Liderzy Pro Bono).