Generali pays constant attention to the needs of local communities and acknowledges the moral duty of concretely contributing to:

• Social needs in the strictest sense of the term to alleviate situations of hardship and distress through support of charitable initiatives
• Support of high-profile cultural and artistic events, with a view to disseminating knowledge and values such as freedom, tolerance, solidarity, equity and transparency, in the conviction that these events can really improve the quality of life
• Education (in particular for economic, actuarial and technical insurance topics) and raising of social awareness, to which a significant number of events primarily directed at youth are geared
• Support and promotion of sport and, specifically, that involving non-professionals and youth
• Protecting and safeguarding the environment
• Supporting scientific research, especially medical research, geared towards finding effective treatments for serious illnesses

These initiatives are complemented by others that focus on making a concrete contribution, as previously described, to the Group’s commitment to protecting the environment.

Recently Generali has been involved in a number of initiatives in Asia. This includes visits to orphanages and schools for the blind (Thailand), tree planting for the environment (Thailand) and participation fo an environmental walk (Hong Kong).  

The decision-making process adopted by Generali to identify initiatives and events deserving of support entails the application of specific criteria for each of the above areas. The allocation of funds to the diverse initiatives that come under consideration thus takes into account their social value and careful assessment of the promoters and organizers from a moral and professional standpoint; however, on conclusion of each initiative, a check is carried out to ensure that earmarked funds have been used effectively and correctly.

As mentioned above, assignment criteria are used in the decision making process to identify which initiatives are going to be supported. These criteria refer firstly to the above areas of intervention which Generali decided to fund with priority. Before allocating funds, all proposals are carefully scrutinized. The Group rigorously evaluates the social value of each event as well as the integrity and trustworthiness of promoters and organizing committees. Checks are made at a later date to ensure that the funds actually arrived at the designated destination.

  The Group and social responsibility

 Throughout its history, the Generali Group has been distinguished for its marked attention to members of staff, shareholders and the local community, based on the observance of a system of values such as professionalism, transparency and responsibility. These principles are reiterated in the Generali Group Ethical Code, revised and approved by the Parent Company’s Board of Directors on 12 May 2010. The reasons for its partial revision can in part be attributed to social-economic changes and to our Group strategies evolving due to these. The drawing up of the Ethical Code implies the existence - or the future existence - of specific codes complying with national rules, practices and cultures and fully governing relations between Group companies and major stakeholders in all the countries where the Group operates.
 
Moreover, to demonstrate its social commitment and respect for the environment, in 2007 our Group decided to participate in UN Global Compact, the UN initiative promoting the engagement of companies to support and implement the 10 universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and fight against corruption.
Protecting the environment as a primary asset is one of the Generali Group’s guiding values. As defined in its Ethical Code, the Group has made a commitment to direct its own decisions towards ensuring compatibility between economic and environmental factors. The Environmental Policy of the Generali Group has been defined and approved in 2009.  It confirms the Group is committed to safeguarding the environment, as stated in its Ethical Code.The Group’s growing commitment in the various realms of sustainability has led to the establishment of dedicated bodies and new corporate departments committed to making not only economic, but also social and environmental issues a constant focus of attention through adequate tools.
 
The Generali Group Sustainability Report has been published since 2005 to report on the social and environmental performance. Starting from the 2007 Report, the document is also subject to approval from the Parent Company’s B.o.D.