Making practical improvements at a European and local level
Achieving a sustainable balance between the environment, society and economic growth is a guiding principle at Toyota. Our commitment to sustainability does not end with the products we produce and the processes we use. As a good corporate citizen we also try to make real improvements to the communities in which we operate and that utilise our products. One way we do this is though our social contribution system.
At Toyota Motor Europe we have a two-tier support approach. The Toyota Fund for Europe (TFfE) operates at a pan-European level and supports projects that operate across a number of different European countries or regions. Our subsidiary companies also provide support at a local level to projects that operate in their home country or region.
Toyota’s European social contribution system is part of a wider, global approach to making a difference. Similar programmes are underway in all countries and regions where Toyota operates. For more information about our worldwide programme please visit : http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/social_contribution/index.html .
TFfE support
TFfE has been creating partnerships with charities, non-profit organisations and educational institutions across Europe since 2002. The focus of TFfE closely follows the core Toyota sustainability issues of environment, road safety and technical education. With an annual budget of €1.0 million and the practical resources supplied by Toyota Motor Europe, TFfE tries to make a significant difference to your project.
Local support
Our local Toyota companies may have a different focus from that of TFfE. Their priority is to respond to specific local needs and problems in the countries where they are located. Each local Toyota company sets its own criteria and decides on which projects to support. Go to Find your local Toyota contact to find out more.
TFfE - more than just financial assistance
For TFfE, financial support is just part of the solution. We are seeking partners with whom we can work together, utilising our skills and resources to help make a real difference to your project. This involvement can take many forms but may include training, knowledge transfer, materials or even human resources.
The TFfE structure, a broad range of expertise
TFfE is supervised by the TFfE Board. The Board sets the overall strategy and direction for TFfE, including the specific criteria for assistance. The TFfE Secretariat, based at our European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, manages the work of TFfE on a day-to-day basis.
In April and October each year, the Secretariat submits a list of project applications to the TFfE Board. The Board chooses the projects that will receive assistance. The Secretariat provides the funding and follow-up.
The TFfE Board members are executives and senior management from Toyota. They have each been selected for their relevant areas of expertise which range from environmental affairs to marketing and finance. The current chairman is Michel Gardel who is Vice-President, Communications, External & Environmental Affairs , Toyota Motor Europe (TME). The current Board comprises:
- Michel Gardel, Chairman of TFfE and Vice-President Communications, External & Environmental Affairs, TME
- Andy Pfeiffenberger, Vice-President Corporate Planning, CSR and Lexus Europe, TME
- Takanobu Kubo, Vice President, Strategic Production Planning & PLC, TME
- Miguel Fonseca, Vice President, Sales, TME
- Erdogan Sahin, Director, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey
- Bojan Tomazevic, Manager, Toyota Adria
About Toyota
Toyota is one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, selling over 9.3 million models in 2007 on all five continents. Toyota first began selling cars in Europe under an official distributor agreement in 1963. Since then, the company has matured into the leading Japanese car manufacturer in this highly competitive market. Toyota has invested almost €7 billion throughout Europe since 1990, and currently employs approximately 80,000 people, both directly and indirectly. To find out more about Toyota in Europe, please have a look at: www.toyota.eu
