Ahead of our global event in September, where they’ll be joining us on a panel discussion, Save the Children spoke to us about their international mission, the importance of their cause and how businesses can incorporate genuine corporate social responsibility (CSR) into the brand mission.

1) Founded over 100 years ago, how did Save The Children become one of the world’s largest charitable organizations dedicated to transforming the lives of children?

For over a century, we’ve been speaking out on the ​biggest issues affecting children and have made sure their ​voices are heard.  ​

In May 1919, Save the Children was founded by Eglantyne Jebb ​to save the lives of children who were left to starve in the ruins of post-war Europe. ​Jebb inspired people to see not ‘enemies’ but children in need of help – and to recognize that children are always our best hope of a brighter future.​

Since then, Save the Children has held the rights of the child, which their founders formulated, at its heart, and worked tirelessly alongside children to help them reach their potential and flourish.

Today, we’re the world’s leading independent children’s organization. We’re a global membership organization, made up of Save the Children International and 30 national members, including Save the Children UK. We share one name and one vision for children. Through our work, and collaboration with local and global partners, the Save the Children movement directly supported 44.9 million children in 2020, in 117 countries around the world.

2) How has the emphasis placed on Corporate Social Responsibility and charity partnerships changed in the last decade – and where’s it heading now?

There has been a noticeable shift in the last few years from focusing on raising funds for causes that seem to resonate with a company’s staff or customers; to companies realizing that the third sector can play a huge role in supporting an organization’s business objectives.

This means that companies are now looking at how a third sector organization’s branding, influence and commercial infrastructure can be used to the benefit of both parties involved. This is very much the trend that we’re seeing in the NGO sector as the benefits to both organizations are only just being realized.

3) The focus for our upcoming event is Tomorrow’s World. Looking to the future, what’s in store for Save The Children – how will you be making a difference?

Decades of hard-won progress is unraveling fast. Covid, conflict and the climate crisis are putting children at extreme risk. ​If we don’t act now, more children will die unnecessarily, go hungry, miss out on school – and never get the chance to reach their potential. ​ 

Ambition for Children 2030’. Our mission is as urgent and relevant as ever: more children are surviving and thriving than ever before, but millions of children are denied their most basic rights and unable to fulfill their potential.

We will inspire three specific breakthroughs for children by 2030:

SURVIVE: No child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday

LEARN: All children learn from a quality basic education

BE PROTECTED: Violence against children is no longer tolerated

This is why we’re delighted to be partnering with Incubeta to help create a world where every child has a chance of the future they deserve – a future full of possibility. 

4) Purpose-led branding has become increasingly more popular over the last 10 years with companies looking inwards to their own strategy. What’s one piece of advice you would give to brands when it comes to choosing a CSR partner?

One word – Alignment. Choosing a CSR partner can be one of the hardest and most important decisions an organization can make and you will need to consider many factors in this decision process. This includes the views of your staff, shareholders and the most important, your customers.

A charity or NGO that has the same values and vision for the future as your organization can be a positive influence beyond just raising money for a cause. It can support your organization’s ambitions and long term strategy. The shift from a traditional money raising partnership has already begun, but the growth in strategic long term partnerships is very much a trend that is here to stay.

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To learn more about Save The Children, and how you can get involved visit www.savethechildren.org.uk or register for our upcoming event, Incubeta Ignite: Tomorrow’s World where Save The Children will be joining us on a panel discussion about the role of CSR, Sustainability, and purpose. 

Register Here