Social Responsibility

The Community

In addition to its expansion and strong market share, Cosan also invests in commitments to people, the community and the sustainable development of Brazil.

Through the Cosan Foundation the company goes beyond its factory walls and applies its concepts in social-environmental responsibility and the personal and professional development of a number of communities. With this initiative Cosan has effectively contributed to the improvement of quality of life and has tried to encourage those who may have a positive influence on the future of such communities.

The variety of programs in the Cosan Foundation, involving partnerships with a number of public and private institutions, assists children and youths in educational and professional training centers through activities that involve culture, information, solidarity, safety, citizenship, respect, health and leisure.

Projects such “Saber para Crescer”, “Fábrica do Conhecimento”, “Pensar e Agir”, “Meio Ambiente” e “Brincar e Aprender” reach over 60,000 people in 19 cities in the State of São Paulo.

There are other projects targeting health, involving Cosan’s partnership with hospitals, blood centers and laboratories in the areas it operates in, with blood donations, registration for bone marrow donations and preventive testing, in addition to talks on health and personal care.

The commitment to people and the environment is in Cosan’s DNA, as for the company the correct balance between business, people and the environment is key to stimulating sustainability and the pathway to building a better world.

 

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Culture

Cosan’s cultural sponsorship policy is aligned with its strategic planning, and especially with its philosophy on social and environmental responsibility. For the company, the arts, music and drama developed by Cosan Foundation groups encourage integration between the community, culture and education and also preserve the history and identity of each region. To this end, the project “Educar na Praça” has been outstanding. Held in cities where the Cosan Foundation operates, it is designed to revive the culture and history of such cities by encouraging research and education, sharing knowledge with the community through cultural events open to the public.

 

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The Cosan Foundation

Investing in culture, health and education in order to enable social inclusion of children, youths and adults in underprivileged areas and to prepare teenagers for the job market are the main aims of the Cosan Foundation.

Currently over 600 children and teenagers – company employees’ children and also from the community - are assisted by the Foundation in four cities.

The cluster in Piracicaba, Barra Bonita and Dois Córregos in São Paulo State benefit children and teenagers from 10 to 16 years old who, during periods that complement school hours, are provided with educational follow-up, social and educational activities, and professional training. In addition to encouraging creativity, independence, a critical sense, integration, reasoning and growth through play, these centers provide computing courses, vegetable gardens, environmental education, and basic courses on electrics, automotive mechanics and carpentry. And the commitment does not end here. When they reach 14 years old, they may join the Pre-Apprentice Program. After completing this stage, at 16, students take part in the selection processes and may start their professional careers at Cosan units, through the Youth Apprentice Program, or even working in other companies.

In the Jaú (SP) center, the partnership between the Cosan Foundation and the Mayor’s office has built the Elementary Educational Center, which has become an example for the region. Currently this Center assists children aged from 4 months to 10 years old.

In addition to the internal activities, the Cosan Foundation stresses how important it is to work in harmony with the family and the community, by opening doors to the regional population to consolidate its efforts and to reach an increasingly large number of people.

 

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Donations to the Municipal Fund for the Rights of Children and Adolescents 

Cosan, as a company, donates 1% of its Income Tax to the Municipal Fund for the Rights and Children and Adolescents (FUMCAD). In December 2009 five organizations received donations from the company.

Project  Corsini
City: Campinas – São Paulo State
Focus: AIDS treatment
Contact: Dr Sílvia
http://www.centrocorsini.org.br/ 

CDI 
City:
Campinas – São Paulo State
Focus: Digital Inclusion
Contact: Alessandra
http://www.cdicampinas.org.br/index.asp

State Child and Adolescent Defense Council - CEDCA 
City
: Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro State
Focus: To protect the rights of children and adolescents
Contact: Cláudia
http://www.cedca.rj.gov.br/

Avistar 
City
: Piracicaba – São Paulo State
Focus: Education for the blind
Contact: Luiz Guimarães
http://www.avistar.org.br/

The Little Prince (Pequeno Príncipe)
City
: Curitiba – Paraná State
Focus: Pediatric Hospital
Contact: Diogo Reis
http://www.hpp.org.br/ 

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Sponsorship of projects supported by the Rouanet Law

Besides the donation to FUMCAD, Cosan has also sponsored five projects supported by the Rouanet Law which will be run over 2010. Created 17 years ago to encourage cultural investment, the Rouanet Law can be used by companies to finance cultural projects, deducting income tax (a maximum of 4%).
For further information go to: http://www.cultura.gov.br/ 

Project

Focus

Objective

The civilization of photosynthesis

Environmental

Documentary on the benefits of ethanol and alternative fuel

International Reading Festival

Educational

International event to promote reading and all income is donated to Hospital Boldrini

Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve

Environmental

Workshops on sustainability given by State teachers

Querô workshops

Professional Workshops

Training of underprivileged youths from the port region of Santos in various area of cinematography  

The History of Legend 

Culture and Sport

Book of photographs illustrating the history of the legend Pelé

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People Management

Cosan is committed to people and believes that intellectual capital is its greatest asset. It seeks to show its keenness to invest continuously in its staff in its Human Resources Policy. The company believes that personal and professional achievement must be aligned to the aims of the business.

Teamwork is one of its premises, which is why Cosan looks for competent professionals with leadership skills who can meet the needs of a dynamic and collaborative organization.

The company’s human resources policy is designed to attract, develop, and retain talent, in an organizational environment that prioritizes ethics, transparency and well-being, in which staff are willing to contribute and excel, being committed to their own development and the company’s global results.

The Cosan team needs to be daring to create opportunities, and to be focused on achieving results.

 

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Human Resources Guidelines

Attract

Attract and select people to match the competences demanded by the nature and dynamics of Cosan’s businesses. Promote functional ascension, valuing different sectors and ensuring quality and satisfaction for internal clients.

Develop

Permanently encourage people, guiding them towards self-development and encouraging the exchange of knowledge amongst teams.

Prioritize systematic and integrated investment in training and development, aligned with the organization’s aims and targets, focusing on developing, maintaining and strengthening people’s abilities.

Retain

Recognize, encourage and reward outstanding staff. Promote career opportunities and professional growth.

Favorable environment

Promote the development of healthy and safe working conditions, providing a favorable organizational environment.

Encourage staff participation in socio-environmental action, integrating the company and the community, contributing to an improved quality of life.

 

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Health and Safety Policy

Seriousness, responsibility and respect for life define the way Cosan carries out its staff’s health and safety processes. The company constantly complies with practices that prevent accidents, damage or occupational hazards, by encouraging the active participation of each associate in identifying, eliminating or managing risks inherent to its operations.

Cosan provides its staff with training through courses, professional training and specific awareness programs to prevent accidents. An important initiative provided by the company in the ergonomics area is workplace exercise with rural, industrial and administrative staff. The practice, in addition to stimulating physical exercise and improving the quality of life, also greatly reduces work-related accident leave.

One of Cosan’s goals is to target its efforts on changing behavior, leading by example, and following procedures. Although these are apparently simple, principles such as these make a difference when it comes to excellence and well-being for the associates and for people in the community, clients and the general public.

The Company believes that health and safety must be managed with the same commitment and accountability as production, costs and trading, and this guides its way.

 

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