JWA24 Finalist – Community Engagement

Chow Tai Fook

https://www.ctfjewellerygroup.com

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the “Group”; SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011.

Founded in 1929, the Group’s iconic brand “CHOW TAI FOOK” has become an emblem of tradition, celebrated for its bold designs and an unwavering attention to detail. Building upon a rich heritage and a foundation of trust, the Group is not only widely recognised for honouring traditions but also for fostering deep, meaningful connections with a diverse customer base through its products. The Group’s long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has been integral to its success over time and has become synonymous with excellence, value and authenticity.

As a leading Chinese jeweller, the Group believes in blending contemporary cutting-edge designs with traditional techniques to create jewellery that can be passed down from generation to generation. Every collection is thoughtfully conceived and crafted to reflect the stories of our customers, celebrating the special moments in their lives. Committed to growing alongside our customers, the Group embraces a spirit that aspires to inspire and captivate generations to come, weaving the story of CHOW TAI FOOK into the fabric of their lives.

Chow Tai Fook has committed to nurturing communities through sponsored initiatives and volunteering. These include:

Education/talent development programmes:

– Collaborating with The Chinese University of Hong Kong on the Ancient Gold Techniques Research project since 2014, donating HKD 6.99 million for the first two phases

– Donating to Tsinghua University for the establishment of the Greater Bay Area Digital Economy Research Center, with a pledge of RMB 11 million from 2022-2024.

– Supporting the Beijing Sports University, with a pledge of RMB 120 million from 2022-2027.

– Organising the “Boutique of Mine” Competition since 2020, and the Next Producers Inheritance Challenge since 2020, with RMB 2 million and 89 million allocated in 2023 respectively.

– Created Loupe, an innovative design and craftsmanship incubation hub from 2018 to 2024, nurtured 62 global designers-in-residence.

Community Program and volunteering:

– Since 2018, run the “Do Good – Caring Action” programme, providing essential household services and mobilising volunteers to quickly address pressing needs. Additionally, the company has also supported UNICEF Charity Run for 8 years and Youth Outreach programmes since 2014.

– Since 2018, donated a total of HKD 6.9 million to Food Angel’s Community Outreach programme. Besides, partnered with Food Sport to organise a remoted charitable food volunteer activity in the Greater Bay Area and Wuhan in 2023.

– The Group’s long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has been integral to its success over time and has become synonymous with excellence, value and authenticity.

KGK Group

https://www.kgkgroup.com/csr/

Founded in 1905 by Shri Kesrimal Ji and Shri Ghisilal Ji Kothari, the KGK Group began as a modest gemstone trading enterprise between India and Burma. Today, it is a globally recognised brand, operating in 15 countries. With over a century of experience, KGK is engaged in mining, sourcing, manufacturing and the distribution of coloured gemstones, diamonds and jewellery. The company has established a strong presence in commercial centres worldwide and is led by Navrattan Kothari, the family patriarch, with the fourth generation represented by Sanjay Kothari and Sandeep Kothari.

KGK has launched impactful community engagement initiatives that includes:

– KGK Kids initiative: Launched in November 2022, this programme addresses the challenges faced by working mothers, particularly those who are single and live away from family support. By providing a free, on-site crèche and daycare facility, KGK has enabled young mothers to maintain their employment while ensuring quality care for their children right at the workplace. This initiative not only supports gender equity but also enhances employee satisfaction and productivity.

– Inclusive Workforce programme: Initiated in 2022, this project focuses on the employment and skills transfer for the Hard of Hearing. By developing specialised training manuals in sign language and educating trainers and supervisors in sign language, KGK has successfully integrated deaf individuals into its diamond-cutting operations, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

– Youth Empowerment initiative: Leveraging sports as a vehicle for social change, this initiative provides national-level table tennis players and footballers with employment opportunities within KGK. Since 2019, the project has supported over 25 athletes, allowing them to train and compete while securing their financial stability and future career prospects.

– Support for the local design community: By producing and marketing their designs at no costs to the designers and sharing profits, KGK has created a sustainable model that benefits the local creative economy.

Smiling Rocks

https://smilingrocks.com/

Smiling Rocks is a lab-grown diamond jewellery brand that aims to build a chain of smiles through sustainable luxury. The brand supports UN SDG goals and is an active member of UNGC. The goals it supports are: Good health and well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Life on Land, Responsible Consumption and Life Below Water. The co-founders’ dream is to refashion the industry by offering stunning luxury designs and collections as a means of making the world a better place. It is working on a philanthropic business where 3% of its jewellery and 1% of its loose diamond B2B business goes to four different charity sectors: Animal/Wildlife Protection, Medical Support, Education Support and Environmental Protection.

Here are some of Smiling Rocks’ Community Engagement initiatives:

– Built 8 digital libraries since the Digital Library project’s inception in 2022. Overall, 1,533 students have benefited from this initiative. Smiling Rocks aims to build 100 digital libraries around the world.

– Empowered women in rural and tribal India to learn and develop basic skills for employability. The project has benefitted 100 women to date, all of whom have been employed.

– Supported the Scholarship for Children of First Responders through the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) in the US.

– Worked with two diverse tree-planting organisations: One Tree Planted, which aims to restore forests that have been affected with wildfire, flood or other natural disasters, and Trees for the Future. In total, Smiling Rocks has planted 77,620 trees in the course of 2021 – 2023.

– Cleaned up 37,540 pounds of ocean trash since 2022 – 2023 (donated US$37,000) in partnership with 4Ocean, a B Corp certified and a Public Benefit Corporation.

– Helped protect elephants and rhinos in Africa in partnership with Space for Giants.

– Worked with Smile Network to provide cleft lip surgery to children in underprivileged countries.

– Launched the “Talks to Tell” podcast since the brand’s inception in 2018. Guests included Elaine Smith Genser, representative of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; Space for Giants Director Alexandra Bowes-Lyon, and First Responders Children’s Foundation Founder and Chairman Alfred Kahn and President & CEO Jillian Crane to name a few.