Contributing to communities

We engage with governments, local communities and non-governmental organizations to create social investment programmes that can provide sustainable benefits

We invest in community projects that align with local needs and our business activities. We consider how these projects support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to overcome worldwide challenges such as poverty, hunger, inequality and climate change. Based on our global business activities, we have prioritized the goals that relate to economic development, education and environment.

BP’s community spend by region ($ million)

Community investment by type

Economic development

Our activities contribute to local economic development and we help communities build entrepreneurial skills. We also work with local partners to promote commercial partnerships.

India

We developed a training programme to help motorcycle mechanics working in small enterprises develop additional skills in business management and customer service. Since it began in 2009, the programme has trained more than 200,000 mechanics.

Mauritania

Together with our partners, we launched the Mauritania-British Business Council (MBBC) and support its work to strengthen economic development, co-operation and trade relations with the country. We have hosted several MBBC meetings on doing business in Mauritania, along with a series of educational and technical workshops on the oil and gas sector for private and public stakeholders. 

Education

Many of the education programmes that we support encourage young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Egypt

We support an annual scholarship programme that gives Egyptian students the opportunity to pursue post-graduate studies in the UK. After completing their studies, the students commit to return to Egypt to apply their skills and knowledge in their home country. Graduates from previous years currently work at various institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local universities and multinational companies.

• See Addressing the skills gap for information on how we support STEM education in the UK and the US.
  

Environment

We support biodiversity and conservation programmes, as well as initiatives to promote sustainable development.

Georgia

We created the Eco Award programme jointly with our co-venturers and the Georgian government to promote the responsible use of natural resources, conservation and community wellbeing. In the first round, three projects received funds, including one that is introducing sustainable land and water practices to reduce the risk of land degradation in the south of the country.

Australia

We have agreed a five-year partnership with the food rescue organization OzHarvest. During that time our funds will help fuel food waste collection and delivery trucks and support an education programme to raise awareness of the role that food waste plays in climate change, sustainability and hunger relief. OzHarvest also collects food waste from 120 of our convenience stores.

Engagement

We want to make art more accessible for audiences. We have supported arts and cultural activities for more than 50 years in the UK and have long-term partnerships with the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House. We marked the 30th anniversary of our partnership with the Royal Opera House in 2018. In that time we have helped more than 900,000 people experience free opera and ballet performances.