About a quarter of the Iberdrola workforce participates each year in solidarity actions organized through the company’s volunteer framework. Since the program began in 2006, roughly ten million people have benefited from its efforts across 24 countries.
Last year, volunteer numbers rose by more than 30 percent, reaching 17,000 participants who contributed over 62,000 hours to 750 activities supported by Iberdrola.
Today in Madrid, the Iberdrola group hosted a day of remembrance for its international volunteer corps and honored the most outstanding professionals for their work in the company’s volunteer projects.
The awards were presented by the group’s chairman, Ignacio Galán, and recognized professionals from Spain, Brazil, Mexico and Greece who embody the core pillars of the Iberdrola Volunteer Programme. These volunteers actively participate in environmental initiatives, education and the integration of vulnerable groups, the pursuit of sustainable development, and the promotion of safe and responsible use of electrical energy.
In his remarks, Galán thanked all volunteers for their solidarity and commitment, noting that social concerns deserve as much emphasis as economic ones within companies. He also reminded attendees of the responsibility to leave a better world for future generations and urged action to address climate change, advance equal opportunity, and strengthen social justice in daily business practices.
Joining Galán at the event were several leaders and representatives from social organizations partnered with Iberdrola to grow the Volunteer Programme, including the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Envera, the Tomillo Foundation, ECODES, and the Prodis Foundation.
As part of today’s recognition, the Madrid headquarters’ food bank corridor was named in honor of Iberdrola. Galán accepted the “Calle Iberdrola” plaque from Francisco García, president of the Madrid Food Bank Foundation, who highlighted the vital support provided by a company of Iberdrola’s scale to meet the broad needs of the community.
Pioneering, diverse and global volunteering
The first edition of Iberdrola’s International Volunteers Week marks a rolling global celebration conducted in tandem across the principal countries where the group operates. Under the theme ‘Together we build the world we want,’ the company plans up to 130 solidarity activities, with more than 8,000 volunteers already registered.
The International Volunteer Programme aims to inspire Iberdrola professionals to engage in social initiatives, with a focus on aiding vulnerable groups, improving the environment, and advancing sustainable development.
Notably, Iberdrola’s volunteer program stands out as a leading practice on the global stage and was recognized by the United Nations in its Transforming Lives and Communities report released in 2021. The initiative also earned the 2018 Innovation Award from IMPACT2030 for its fresh approaches to accelerating the delivery of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through human capital.
Observers in North America note that the Iberdrola model demonstrates how corporate volunteer programs can align with broader corporate responsibility goals while delivering measurable community benefits. The emphasis on environmental stewardship, education, and social inclusion resonates with organizations seeking practical, on-the-ground impact. This approach mirrors trends seen in the United States and Canada, where volunteer programs increasingly connect employee engagement with community resilience and climate action.
Across borders, the program’s impact is measured not only in hours volunteered and activities completed but also in the cultivation of a culture that places people and planet on equal footing with profit. That balance appears essential for sustaining long-term social license and stakeholder trust, both of which matter to executives, investors, and communities alike.
In summary, Iberdrola’s volunteer initiative has grown from a regional effort into a globally recognized model. Its ongoing collaboration with non-governmental organizations and local community groups reinforces that impact is most meaningful when it is inclusive, transparent, and capable of producing lasting change. The company’s continued commitment to environmental education, social equity, and safe energy practices offers a blueprint for others seeking to embed purpose into the fabric of daily operations.