Leading Viscose Fiber from Indonesia

Being part of a community means being the partner of a social contract. Good relationships and trust have to be fostered and maintained if they are to become a social capital. PT. South Pacific Viscose (SPV) realizes the importance of social capital for sustainable development and sustainable business.

It integrated social concerns into its business by assuming Corporate Social Responsibility in general and the development of surrounding community in particular. It recently set up its own community development department to live this responsibility. Programs are conceived carefully and comprehensively. They are reviewed critically so as to be in harmony with the community’s capabilities. Activities with neighboring communities range from matters of education, health, social, and cultural, infrastructure, economic by promoting entrepreneurship, and media communication.

1. Education

• Giving scholarship for high school students from poor family
• Giving scholarship for higher education in University level
• Supporting early childhood education through playschool. This program is in line with one of MDGs to achieve universal primary education
• Providing library for Cicadas Elementary school in cooperation with the school board and involving SPV employees to give donation

2. Health

• Weekly free medication and health consultation for all Cicadas villagers cooperate with local health department
• Additional Nutritious foods for children in children health service (Posyandu). This program also supports MDGs to reduce child mortality
• Supporting government’s program to eradicate malnourished children

3. Micro Credit

Providing micro credit to emerging small scale businesses of the community. The program started in April 2008 with the goal of strengthening the entrepreneurship spirit of the local community villagers and to raise prosperity in line with SPV’s motto “Help people to help themselves”. It funds food stalls, small shops, cattle breeders, snack production, and so forth. SPV’s micro credits are much in demand as it is almost impossible for people with no or only limited income to get a bank loan. Before a credit is given the business idea is assessed and the credentials of the applicant are checked. The number of non-collectable loans is very low.

4. Entrepreneurship

SPV’s operational business generated business potential for others. SPV provides these opportunities; we provide counseling in how to become a company supplier of subcontractor. Moreover, we provide other new business ideas and finance loan, be it a dust-cloth small industry made of waste fabric, palette manufacturing, and used plastic sack recycling.

5. Infrastructure

• Supporting some construction and renovation for public facilities such as road, bridge, school building, mosque, and others.
• Providing garbage drums to support clean environment
• Providing clean water supply to surrounding community who has no access for clean water.

6. Social and Cultural Activities

• Supporting women organization activities
• Rice distribution to old orphans, the elderly and clergy of Cicadas.
• Courtesy food parcels presented to every Cicadas family at Idul Fitri Moslem’s big day - Donations to bereaved families
• Donation for social, religious, and cultural activities around national and religious holidays
• Support local sport activities

7. Communication Media

SPV publishes Warta Comdev, a magazine distributed free of charge to the surrounding community and other stakeholders. Warta Comdev reports on development activities in the surrounding communities. Moreover, the magazine offers a community opinion column under the motto Foster Relationships and Community Development.