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Carried out in partnership and in cooperation with the different areas in a community, Arcelor Brasil's social investments seek to foster relationship networks around one common goal: changing reality by improving quality of life indicators. Actions include fields as diverse as culture, environment, health, income creation, and urban development. They focus on education and on responsiveness to the demands of an organized society, valuing local talent, and encouraging the sustainable creation of riches. In 2005, Arcelor Brasil's non-deductible investments in social projects and actions reached R$ 30,000,000.
Another important aspect of the company's social investments is the incentive to its collaborators' practice of citizenship, such as the corporate volunteer work programs developed by the Belgo subsidiary. The program was carried out in seven cities-Piracicaba, Belo Horizonte, João Monlevade, Juiz de Fora, Vitória, Contagem, and Sabará-and had the participation of volunteers from our staff in the development of 33 projects and 37 campaigns, such as the one for bone marrow donation. The work of the volunteers involved 256 institutions and benefited almost 18,000 people.
Arcelor Brasil invests in different projects to train members of the surrounding communities. Promoting local talents is a way to encourage society sustainability. One example of this kind of action is the Programa Educação e Empregabilidade (Education and Employability Program), implemented by the Vega do Sul subsidiary.
After the identification of areas that needed labor in the São Francisco do Sul region, the courses for the program could be established. The courses were directed towards the professional development of the local population. The program, inspired by an Electromechanics course given while Vega do Sul was being established, offers free technical training for waiters, cleaning staff, commercial service workers, cooks, and nursing technicians. In 2005, 206 students enrolled.
A sample survey carried out after the end of the course showed that 63.6% of the students were out of work when classes started and, after course completion, 59% managed to find a job.
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