social entrepreneurs who nowadays constitute the main layer of social investors. And social investing takes many forms. This can be investing everything they have in scaling a project from a personal decision to the public good, a contribution from the family budget to a territorial development project, a step from monetizing a hobby to creating creative industries, and so on.
Yes, so far social entrepreneurs are not visible in Forbes rankings or in closed business clubs of millionaires. But it is hundreds or even thousands of such investors who are now shaping the landscape for the transition to a new quality of life in the country.
This issue presents several cases of social enterprises that can definitely be called social investors. These include the well-known federal brands Mi&ko and Pure Water, as well as territory development projects such as the "Golubino” Cultural and Landscape Park and the Russian consulting-integrator in the ESG You Social field.
Enjoy discovering a new, positive economic agenda for the country!
Mi&ko
Organic Cosmetics
https://clck.ru/SpgPF
Production of organic cosmetics with 100 % natural ingredients. More than 90 % of products are Ecosert Cosmos Organic certified. Mi&ko products are not tested on animals. Products are bottled in eco-friendly glass and recyclable plastic. All packaging is made of recycled cardboard.
SOLUTIONS USED
Since 2011, Mi&ko has been a social entrepreneur (certified social entrepreneur status by an international certifying organization) and supports other social projects:
• Collaboration with the "Gift to an Angel Foundation” 2018–2019 to support families with children with disabilities in rehabilitation programmes for young children.
• Collaboration with the "My Family Foundation” from 2018 to the present for the project "Save Life!” — support for pregnant women in difficult life situations.
• Annual support for the Kirov Retirement Home with products to maintain the health of the wards' skin. Mi&ko cosmetics have not been tested on animals since the company's founding, supporting laboratories with alternative testing methods since 2009.
• Objective for 2022: to promote the adoption of the Technical Regulations for CMCs with the inclusion of alternative testing options for household chemicals in the Russian Federation. ISO14001 environmental management system implemented in the company — we reduce the negative impact of our production and office facilities on the environment every year.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
Best of beauty 2021 award from Glamour magazine.
RESOURCES RAISED IN 2021
We create equal opportunities for people, which is why 10 % of our working places are reserved for people in difficult circumstances. The Company has a Corporate and Social Code to support its employees.
Up to 10 % of funds are donated to charities and foundations we work with. Employee training upon hire and quarterly training aimed at clarifying the Company's environmental policy and sustainability targets for the next 3 years (adherence to standards within the Company). Conducting training sessions for employees on greening their own lives, with the aim of improving the environmental culture and health of employees. 4 times a year, corporate eco/health/social events for employees (Eco-races, Vyatka River Bank Clean-up, Best Environmentalist Awards, Donor Day or Eco-Donor Day, "Second Life of Things”).
STEPS TAKEN LAST YEAR
• Organization and participation in events aimed at environmental education, drawing attention to environmental problems, informing the public about the importance of environmental conservation, as well as healthy, conscious lifestyle.
• Promotion of environmental education to the public (publication of posts, placing materials on environmental conservation, healthy, conscious lifestyle in the media, cooperation with eco-bloggers and opinion leaders, educating on the themes of conscious lifestyle, consumption and care for the environment).
• Promotion of the Zero Waste concept — mass production of new types of environmentally friendly products that reduce water and logistics costs.
• Promotion of cosmetics and household non-chemicals, their values for the environment and humans, the importance of eco-packaging, minimizing the impact on the environment and human health at the time of production, delivery, use, after (disposal) of products and packaging.
• Migration to EDI by the end of the year for up to 40 % of all sales and purchasing counterparties.
• Organization of return and collection of recyclable packaging from 5 % of our wholesale customers.
• Reduction in total waste by 5 %. Increased recycling rate by 5 % y-o-y.
• Energy consumption (per unit of output) reduced by 5 % y-o-y.
• Accounting for the organization's environmental activities by type and location of negative environmental impact, as well as linking these costs to specific types of products, i.e. maintaining detailed analyses of environmental costs.
• Reduction of indirect adverse environmental impacts.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT
One of Mi&ko's key success criteria is the social impact of its business.
Our main goals are to improve the quality of life and health of people and reduce the impact of business on the environment. We produce natural cosmetics that keep people healthy, including those with atopic dermatitis, allergies and asthma. Our products create no chemical waste after use.
PureWater
Household Non-Chemicals
https://clck.ru/SpgPF
PureWater household non-chemicals contain more than 97 % naturally derived ingredients, all products are eco-friendly and degrade in the environment >78 % in 28 days.
PureWater detergents contain no palm oil-based ingredients — our goal is to preserve the planet's biodiversity. Our range includes products for both laundry and general housekeeping. Thanks to their composition they are safe for septic tanks and ideal for country houses.
SOLUTIONS USED
Collaboration with the Worldwildlife Fund (2018–2020) on a programme to direct 3 % of funds from the sale of Pure Water household chemicals to the "Adopt an Animal” programme — to restore the snow leopard population in the Russian Federation. We have implemented the ISO14001 environmental management system — each year we reduce the negative environmental impact of
