Social engagement has always been a fundamental part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s culture. This includes a commitment to being an independent, family-owned business, creating value through innovation, and being powered by people. These commitments gained a whole new dimension on Boehringer Ingelheim’s 125th anniversary in 2010 with the launch of Making More Health (MMH), in partnership with Ashoka and selected social entrepreneurs.
The company has seen this long-term global commitment improve millions of lives by identifying and financially supporting sustainable community-driven solutions in the markets where Boehringer Ingelheim operates. Also, employee opportunities to engage with social entrepreneurs fostered stronger purpose, retention and health innovation.
The connections between our internal and external impact are more long-term and sustainable. Social Engagement, Making More Health and Social Business are part of our identity as an organization and a fundamental part of our culture.
Tanja Vermeer
Associate Director of Sustainability and Culture, Boehringer Ingelheim
Key Programatic Elements
To connect employee engagement with social innovation work, Ashoka and Boehringer Ingelheim co-created and deliver the following:
Leadership development: On-site opportunities with social entrepreneurs and NGOs, including placements where senior leaders inside the company are paired with a social entrepreneur to act as an 'executive-in-residence' and support their business needs.
Social Innovation Hubs: A one-year structured program that connects leading social entrepreneurs and employees to expand social impact through cross-sector collaboration.
Trainings: Online courses created for Boehringer Ingelheim employees (but open to anyone in the healthcare space) to learn about and engage in social innovation in health.
Volunteering with support of a digital platform: An online portal allows Boehringer Ingelheim employees to identify and join strategic volunteering opportunities with social entrepreneurs and NGOs.
Changemaker Profile
Meet Giorgio an IT Director who was keen to use his technological expertise to support a meaningful mission. Through BI’s executive-in-residence leadership program, Giorgio landed a placement with Friendship Bench, a social enterprise founded in Zimbabwe by Ashoka Fellow Dixon Chibanda. Friendship Bench trains older women with healthcare experience to provide mental health support from 'Friendship Benches' near clinics and hospitals, offering a lifeline to those in need.
Drawing on his background in computer science, Giorgio helped the Friendship Bench team develop a digital platform that makes training materials accessible worldwide. The social enterprise has now expanded to serve five countries.
Transformation Compass
Our CMC Transformation Compass outlines seven key elements we see in successful changemaker companies. So far our partnership has contributed to four out of seven elements:
