Corporate Social Responsibility
In the post-COVID era, governments and businesses have a renewed sense of responsibility to do as much as they can to address societal problems and challenges.
As a company operating in the developed and developing world, we care profoundly about global issues of concern and try to do our bit to draw attention to them and contribute to their resolution. Our interest in and commitment to social goods stem from our values of purpose, diversity, curiosity and kindness.
Over the years, we have thought very hard about how we can make meaningful contributions to the societies in which we live and operate. We have supported a wide range of initiatives and organisations in the cultural, educational, mental health and communications sectors.
In sharing our expertise to help empower and energise communities around the world, we have not only reinforced our values as an organisation but also allowed staff to feel that they are doing something particularly positive and worthwhile in their career.
Our altruistic and caring ethos informs and shapes the company’s professional work and also translates into the following policies that directly support social goods.
- Provision of financial donations.
- Delivering pro bono strategic communication services.
- Offering non-profit clients reduced fees.
Pro bono for Ukraine
One of the values that drive us at Curzon is to work with purpose. Since the outset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Curzon PR has worked pro bono on supporting several individuals and organisations dedicated to helping Ukraine through this debilitating crisis.
The current projects we are working on in our support to Ukraine and those affected by the war which is in line with the categories identified by PRCA are;
Category – International Media and Journalist Support
- Media relations support for two renowned professors in the field of anti-corruption reforms of the Anti-Corruption Research and Education Centre in Kyiv:
The Professors had written Op-eds on Russia’s export of “strategic corruption” (weaponisation of illicit financial flows in pursuit of national goals) that presents one of the biggest threats to international security and rules-based international order. - Ongoing media support for a veteran journalist and global affairs analyst. He is currently on the ground in Ukraine reporting live and providing real-time updates from Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Event promotion support for a Ukrainian humanitarian initiative hosting a timed auction in London to raise funds for delivering medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine.
Category – Promote International Refugee Support
Strategic communication advice to a Humanitarian Development Fund of Ukraine. The foundation aims to garner support from artists through sales to raise funds for those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Category – Public Awareness
- Media relations advice for a poet, essayist, composer who had written an inspiring piece on the ongoing war in Ukraine to support building public awareness.
- Strategic communications advice for a number of the Ukrainian diaspora on how to amplify their campaigns to raise awareness for Ukraine and prevent media fatigue.
- Strategic communication advice for a fundraising initiative that allows donors to directly donate to and interact with Ukrainian artists of their choice.
Category – Promote International Refugee Support
Strategic communication advice for a UK based charity in support of Ukrainian refugees.
We advised on messaging, potential partnerships, and the best call to action to drive engagement with the campaign.
Category – Digital, Web, and Developer Support
Branding and digital consultancy for an international support group in the UK.
We are helping with revamping digital creative assets for the organisation to help it direct and facilitate aid for those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Category – Legal Communications Support
Curzon PR is also a part of the Ukraine Justice Alliance, a coalition of lawyers, law firms and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have formed an alliance to support Ukrainians in response to the catastrophic invasion of their country. The UJA is on track to be the largest ever mobilisation of the international private sector in solidarity against an act of war.
The purpose is to support Ukrainians, NGOs, civil society organisations and the legitimate government of Ukraine by providing a platform through which to deliver the best legal expertise now and as needs change and develop.
Our CEO, Farzana Baduel on behalf of the Curzon team has strongly condemned the attack on Ukraine and pledged to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian refugees with pro bono support on select projects.
We will continue to stand behind the people of Ukraine firmly and continue to support various pro-bono projects to make their voices heard.
Donation
For the year 2021, we are supporting two organisations through financial donations.
Socially Mobile
We are a founding donor of Socially Mobile, a not-for-profit PR school for communications professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Socially Mobile is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that supports and inspires public relations practitioners across the UK by developing their skills and, in so doing, increasing their earning potential.
Socially Mobile delivers training to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, as well as under-represented and under-served groups, including black, Asian and ethnic minority practitioners, women returners and people with disabilities.
British Asian Trust
The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and a group of visionary British Asians. Its mission is to help tackle poverty and inequality in South Asia, with a focus on improving education, livelihoods, mental health and combating child trafficking. The Trust works across Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, concentrating particularly on the plight of women and girls.
Our CEO Farzana Baduel is a Trustee and took part in the charity’s Palace on Wheels initiative, a sponsored, 400km bike ride passing by some of the UK’s most iconic royal households and palaces. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales joined the riders as they set off on the route.
In the past, we have donated to the following:
- Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, to support Israeli music and culture
- Pratham, an NGO that specialises in the delivery of high-quality, low-cost and replicable interventions to address gaps in the Indian education system
- CARE Pakistan, which raises awareness and vital funds for Pakistan’s under-resourced schools
Pro bono work
Recognising the critical contributions of the NGO sector, we’ve chosen not to limit our PR skills and experience to the servicing of commercial clients. Pro bono work is a core part of our charitable activities. We partner annually with an NGO, conducting a 12-month-long £120k public relations campaign to help build their profile in their target market.
- We worked on a media relations campaign for the Palaces on Wheels British Asian Trust event. We received media coverage in The Times, ITV News, Hello Magazine, Times of India, Hello Pakistan and Geo TV, along with 170+ other media mentions.
- In the past, we have worked with the Sara Charlton Foundation, which is dedicated to combating domestic violence, and the Remembering Srebrenica memorial organisation.
NGOs keen to work with us in 2023 will be able to register their interest by filling out a nomination form that will be made available in September 2022. Our team will review submitted forms and take a vote on who they would like to partner with for the year. They will notify the chosen charities in November 2022.
Lower fees for non-profit
We offer a 20% reduction in our charges for non-profit clients. Some of our work includes media relations for The Wave Project, a surf therapy organisation that helps young people manage their mental health challenges through surfing. We have also handled global media relations for Right to Play, an organisation that aims to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity using the power of play.
