Pro bono for employers

A pro bono programme is a tool adapted to the needs of organisations who have a policy of sustainable development and/or of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Whether you are an enterprise, corporate foundation, public organisation, works council or association, pro bono is a means for you and your employees to demonstrate your commitment to developing countries.

 

What are the advantages of pro bono for employers?

There are numerous advantages of a pro bono programme for employers:

  • Expression of a policy of sustainable development or of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which can be used in internal and external communications.
  • Reinforcement of the employee-employer link due to the sharing of values which are inherent to Pro bono work and to the support provided for the employees’ goals and aspirations.
  • Motivation of the employees through the recognition of their skills and the sponsorship of their development.
  • Selling-point in the recruitment of young graduates concerned about sustainable development and social responsibility.
  • Enrichment of corporate culture due to exposing employees to a different way of life.
  • Professional development of the employees due to their contact and sharing of ideas with experienced foreign peers.
 

What service does Projects Abroad Pro provide within the framework of pro bono?

Projects Abroad Pro handles the organisation of the volunteering project and looks after the employees during their time overseas:

  • Individual advice in your language from one of 14 offices worldwide:
    • Europe: United Kingdom, France (also for Belgium and Switzerland), Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Israel
    • North America: USA, Canada
    • South Africa, Australia, Japan
  • A project tailored to your needs with the choice of:
    • Type of project (social work, education, medicine, etc.)
    • Destination (17 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe)
    • Date of departure
    • Duration (minimum 2 weeks)
  • Complete organisation of the project (identification of the partner organisation and the project, accommodation and food, in-country support)
  • Employee’s insurance included
  • Precise instructions for visa application
  • Arranging flights with Projects Abroad Pro Travel (optional)
  • 24 hours a day and 7 days a week support in the destination and your home country from permanent Projects Abroad Pro employees
 

How to set up a pro bono programme

Any organisation that employs or represents employees can set up a pro bono programme:

  • Private enterprise
  • Corporate foundation
  • Public organisation (region with a measure of autonomy, administrations, universities, research institutes, etc.)
  • Association
  • Works council

The organisation can be based in any country.

  1. Projects Abroad Pro will give you advice for setting up a pro bono programme that works with the strategy of your organisation.
  2. You define the framework of your pro bono programme, for instance:
    1. maximum number of departures per year
    2. budget per leaving employee or for the whole project
    3. the booking of flights
    4. preferred type of project or destination
    5. validation procedure for a departure request, etc.
  3. You communicate internally about the development of the programme.
    Projects Abroad Pro will provide you with tools for this.
  4. Projects Abroad Pro will advise your employees about their choice of project and look after all preparations for their departure.
  5. The employees leave on the dates confirmed by the employer and are entirely taken care of by Projects Abroad Pro once in the destination.
 

What are the costs for the employer?

The price depends on the duration, destination and type of project that you require. Consult the Price & Services section for more details. All the costs in the destination are covered by the fee paid to Projects Abroad Pro. The only major expense is the flights which are not included in the price of the project.

You are free to decide whether you want to pay for:

  • The total cost of the project or only part of it.
  • The employees' flights to and from the destination.

Alternatively, you can decide to let the employees pay for it themselves.

Projects Abroad Pro Travel can book the flights for your employees (go to the Price & Services section for the exact rates), but you are also free to use your usual travel booking service.

 

Who to contact

If you want to discuss the possibilities offered by a pro bono programme in more detail, we encourage you to contact:

Scott McQuarrie Director, Projects Abroad PRO

UK Tel: +44(0)1903 708 300
Canada & US: 1-888-579-1612

info@projects-abroad-pro.org