#Singapore #N/A #Textile Waste #Community Empowerment #SHEIN Foundation

SHEIN Foundation Launches with a Commitment to Sustainability and Community Empowerment

SHEIN, a prominent global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, has taken a significant step in addressing pressing social and environmental issues by establishing the SHEIN Foundation. Recently announced, the foundation comes with a commitment of \\u20AC5 million (approximately US$5.3 million) to support the efforts of Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) Foundation, a social enterprise dedicated to developing a used textiles collection and recycling initiative in Kenya.

The Mission and Vision of the SHEIN Foundation

The newly formed SHEIN Foundation aims to foster more inclusive and sustainable communities where SHEIN operates. It will act as the philanthropic arm of the SHEIN Group, consolidating previous charitable endeavors to enhance accountability and transparency in their donations. This move reflects SHEIN's ongoing commitment to social responsibility, particularly focusing on promoting women's empowerment, gender equality, and addressing poverty through aligned initiatives.

Over the past few years, SHEIN has actively supported various causes through its SHEIN Cares initiative. Donations have been directed towards organizations working to empower women, support children's holistic development, and tackle global textile waste via the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fund. Between 2021 and 2024, the company allocated over US$26 million to initiatives aimed at making a positive social and environmental impact, underscoring its role in developing a more circular fashion ecosystem.

Focus Areas of the SHEIN Foundation

SHEIN Foundation's key focus areas include:

• - Empowering Communities: The foundation aims to uplift underserved communities, particularly women and youth, by offering equitable opportunities to tackle systemic challenges.
• - Biodiversity Protection: The foundation commits to addressing climate change by protecting and promoting sustainable land and marine ecosystems.
• - Supporting Sustainable Innovation: Investments will be made to develop, implement, and research sustainable practices in the fashion industry, fostering scalable solutions for a circular economy.

Partnership with the Africa Collect Textiles Foundation

The funds allocated to the ACT Foundation will support a range of activities in Kenya, focusing on:

• - Infrastructure for Textile Donation: Creating accessible drop-off points for used clothing donations will encourage community participation.
• - Job Creation: The initiative plans to generate employment opportunities for collectors, sorters, and artisans, especially among youth and women in vulnerable communities.
• - Recycling Facilities Development: Establishing facilities capable of processing larger volumes of textile waste will enhance the recycling capabilities in the region.
• - Community Outreach: The project will promote textile recycling through workshops, lectures, and collection drives to raise awareness and foster community engagement.

Elmar Stroomer, Director of the ACT Foundation, emphasized the project's importance, stating it will not only help reduce textile waste but also create life-changing job opportunities and inspire hope for a sustainable future. This grant aligns perfectly with the SHEIN Foundation’s EPR Fund which aims to support waste management efforts, thereby extending its commitment to global textile waste management.

A Look at SHEIN’s Past Contributions

SHEIN has a history of partnerships supporting significant causes, as illustrated by various grants and commitments, including:

• - In 2022, the launch of the EPR Fund and grants to the Or Foundation and UnTours Foundation to promote sustainable practices.
• - In 2023, a pledge of S$8.6 million aimed at empowering communities and enhancing educational opportunities through collaborations with educational institutions.
• - A US$430,000 donation in 2024 to various Dress for Success affiliates across the globe, dedicated to promoting women's economic independence.

Conclusion

Through the establishment of the SHEIN Foundation, SHEIN is set to play a crucial role in driving sustainable practices in the fashion industry while uplifting communities around the world. With a substantial financial commitment and a clear mission, SHEIN is poised to make a lasting impact on both social and environmental fronts. The foundation not only signifies a shift towards more responsible fashion but also embodies SHEIN’s core philosophy of giving back to the communities that they serve.