ESA HRF strives to select sustainable projects that encourage autonomy of the affected groups and seeks smaller projects with local management and with minimum overheads. In this way, it is possible for the organisation to report back to the committee on a regular basis and explain how the money was used. Such reports are published in our newsletters to explain how contributors’ donations were spent.
Our Story
The ESA Humanitarian Relief Fund is more than just a name. We are a team of passionate ESA employees committed to making a difference in volunteer work. Our mission is to support a broad scope of small-scale relief projects encouraging auto sufficiency, long-term sustainability, education, health, economic activity, educational programs, clean water access and sanitation, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It also supports large-scale humanitarian action in case of natural disasters.
How HRF works
The ESA HRF is managed by a committee of about ten employees who manage the Fund (voluntary and in their free time) by selecting and monitoring sustainable projects, raise funding and awareness both through HRF involvement in various events (ESTEC Open days, ESA Team days, ESA Earth Days) and through HRF specific events such as charity markets and lotteries, goods collections. The committee also reviews help requests and grants donations. One of the great benefits of participating to this ESA-wide initiative is that your contribution will not be anonymously left on the big pile of the larger charitable organisations. The donations for natural disasters are granted to well-established relief organisations that have the size and logistic capabilities to quickly react.
History
The Fund was founded in 1979 and is affiliated with the Social, Sport and Cultural Committee (SSCC) in ESTEC, but is not part of the corporate organisation. The Fund is fed with voluntary contributions from ESA employees, families and friends.
Want to join the team?
We are looking for volunteers and people passionate and eager to participate in these projects. Please hit the contact page in the menu for more info!