More than 6,300 BBVA employees have participated in the different activities of volunteer month

“At BBVA, we have spent many years incentivizing and supporting volunteer work in all the countries where we are present. We wanted to dedicate a month to invite the entire team to use their skills to serve others, with a wide range of possible activities,” explained Susana López Arias, Global Head of Volunteering at BBVA. Through volunteer work, the bank seeks to contribute to local communities and have a positive impact on them, doing our part to address social problems and promote well-being.

“Volunteer work has two angles within the company: one tied to employee pride in belonging and the company’s corporate culture; and the other to the importance of businesses in the social fabric. For us, both are very relevant and deeply intertwined because the values that define us, that we aim to reflect, find a way to come to life in volunteering,” she added.

In its volunteer program, the bank focuses primarily on three areas. The first includes activities to provide opportunities through financial and digital education. The second encompasses promoting and working on environmental sustainability. Finally, the bank spearheads projects to reduce inequality and foster inclusive growth.

The activities are tailored to the local communities where BBVA is present. “For example, during volunteer month in Peru, for financial education, we held workshops for entrepreneurs where we provide a space to collaborate with over 200 people that want to create a business. Our colleagues assist, train and share tools and methodologies with the entrepreneurs so they can be successful in achieving their goals,” explained López Arias. Other examples in Spain include the financial education sessions for people with disabilities, or cybersecurity courses for older people who are less familiar with the digital age. Meanwhile, in Argentina, one standout activity entailed building solar water heaters in poor regions, allowing a family of five to meet their needs for hot water in an efficient and sustainable way.

BBVA volunteer figures in 2023

BBVA’s General Sustainability Policy expresses the bank’s commitment to promote a corporate culture of social and environmental support, facilitating the conditions so that the workforce can do volunteer work. This policy applies to all countries where the Group is present.

Throughout 2023, over 11,700 BBVA employees participated in volunteer work - 36.5 percent more than the previous year. A total of 36,040 hours were dedicated to volunteering, 57 percent of which took place during working hours. This time spent by the workforce throughout the year represents a contribution of €527,830. “We have had nearly 12,000 people participate in these activities, 4,000 more than the previous year. Clearly the employees want to be there with BBVA, and interest is on the rise,” she noted.

BBVA’s corporate volunteer initiatives encourage employees to collaborate in having a significant social impact, increasing their sense of belonging, satisfaction and productivity. In addition, they position BBVA as a leading company in corporate volunteer work, thus making it more attractive to both current and potential employees.

Volunteering is a critical component when it comes to developing the approaches and lines of work for the 2025 Commitment to the Community. In fact, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has explicitly recognized volunteering as a vehicle for sustainable development, and the volunteer groups as actors to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.