Unilever and British government team to improve quality of life in developing countries
Unilever and the Department for International Development (DFID) have formed a new partnership in a bid to improve the lives of those living in developing countries and help end dependency on aid.
The partnership is the first of its kind between a leading international business and DFID, and will see the pair create jobs, including improving the job prospects and economic empowerment of women and girls; improving water and sanitation and develop sustainable supply chains.
The International Development Secretary will sign a joint letter of intent with Unilever’s chief executive Paul Polman which commits both organisations to the agreement.
As part of the initiative, Unilever and DFID will use new, social business models to improve health, hygiene and livelihoods for 100 million people by 2025.
They will also each contribute £5m to a research and innovation programme focused on affordable sanitation and safe drinking water.
The new commitment follows the recent agreement between DFID, Unilever, the Wood Family Trust and Gatsby Foundation to co-invest in a major new tea plantation in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
The funding will boost the incomes of potentially more than 3,600 tea farmers spread throughout 27 villages.