SINGAPORE, Jan. 17,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SHEIN, a global online fashion
and lifestyle retailer, has announced the establishment of the
SHEIN Foundation, and its commitment of €5 million (US$5.30 million) to the Africa Collect Textiles
(ACT) Foundation, the charitable arm of Africa Collect Textiles
(ACT), a social enterprise that has developed a used textiles
collection and recycling pilot programme in Kenya.
The SHEIN Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to
foster more inclusive and sustainable communities in places where
SHEIN operates and will be the philanthropic arm of the SHEIN
Group. With the establishment of the SHEIN Foundation, SHEIN will
seek to consolidate its previous philanthropic commitments under
the foundation, where appropriate, as aligned with the foundation's
mission.
Over the past few years, SHEIN's philanthropic commitments have
supported causes and organizations that address social and
environmental issues. This includes social impact donations under
the SHEIN Cares initiative that focuses on promoting women's
empowerment and gender equality, supporting the holistic
development of children, and alleviating poverty, as well as grants
under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fund, to tackle
global textile waste and further the development of a more circular
fashion ecosystem, particularly in communities in the Global South
impacted by the issue. Between 2021 and 2024, SHEIN disbursed over
US$26 million towards social and
environmental impact initiatives under these two commitments.
Highlights of SHEIN's previous grants and donations can be found in
the Appendix section.
Donald Tang, SHEIN's Executive
Chairman said: "Empowering and giving back to the communities we
reach has always been core to our operating philosophy.
Establishing the SHEIN Foundation, and thereby consolidating our
charitable efforts under a formal philanthropic structure, brings
greater accountability and transparency to our donations. This also
strengthens our ability to direct our charitable giving in a more
impactful and sustained manner to better support causes and
organizations that align with our values."
SHEIN Foundation's Priorities
The SHEIN Foundation will work to build more inclusive communities
and sustainable ecosystems, focusing its support on organizations
aligned with its charitable purposes which include, in part, the
following missions:
- Improving Lives in Communities
Focusing on women, young people and the underserved, to overcome
systemic challenges, uplift communities and create more equitable
opportunities, for a more inclusive future where everyone can reach
their full potential.
- Protecting Biodiversity
Addressing the challenges of biodiversity and habitat loss arising
from climate change by protecting, restoring, and promoting the
sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- Advancing Sustainable Change
Investing in research and supporting the development and
implementation of new innovations and strategies in environmental
and social sustainability, to catalyze scalable solutions that aim
to accelerate the transition to a more circular and sustainable
fashion industry.
Africa Collect Textiles Foundation
The funds committed to the ACT Foundation from the SHEIN
Foundation will be put towards activities which promote textile
donation and post-consumer textile recycling in Kenya and the broader African region, which
includes:
- Installation of convenient and accessible network of drop-off
points for members of the public to donate their used
clothing.
- Creation of new jobs such as collectors, sorters, and artisans
who will upcycle textile waste into new products, with a focus on
hiring youth and women from vulnerable communities.
- Building of recycling infrastructure to process larger volumes
of textile waste.
- Promotion of online and offline outreach programs for
communities, such as upcycling workshops, lectures, and
neighbourhood collection drives.
Elmar Stroomer, Director of the
ACT Foundation, said: "This project will contribute immensely to
our mission to reduce textile waste and close the loop on a more
circular fashion ecosystem. Through this project, we are not only
protecting our planet but also creating jobs that will transform
lives and provide opportunities to those in need. This journey will
inspire hope for a more sustainable and equitable future for
all."
The ACT Foundation grant is consistent with the objective of
SHEIN's EPR Fund to support waste management efforts in communities
impacted by global textile waste and will now be managed by the
SHEIN Foundation. The EPR Fund had previously provided grants to
The Or Foundation and the Untours Foundation, which supported
KaTik, a Cambodian initiative that collaborates with social
enterprises to upcycle textile waste.
Appendix
Highlights of Past Grants and Donations by SHEIN
SHEIN has partnered with various organizations to support
important causes and deliver positive change. Examples of grants
and commitments made by SHEIN include the following:
- In 2022, SHEIN launched the EPR Fund, and has since made
grants to the Or Foundation and the UnTours Foundation.
- In 2023, SHEIN pledged a total of S$8.6
million to empower communities and advance opportunities for
education in Singapore and beyond,
with four Memoranda of Understanding signed between SHEIN and four
educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
- In 2024, SHEIN donated US$430,000
to six local Dress for Success (DFS) affiliates, across the US, UK,
Italy and Singapore. DFS is a not-for-profit
organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence
by providing professional clothing and styling, interview coaching
and ongoing support once they rejoin the workplace.
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