Under its Social Involvement Plan, its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy and its commitment to the sustainable development of the Aysén Region, Energía Austral has defined, in conjunction with the community, a programme of Social Investment Funds. Through this programme, established as a mechanism for social participation in access to resources, both individuals and organisations can compete, in an informed and transparent way and on equal terms, for funding for innovative and sustainable initiatives. The programme’s aim is to foster the implementation of development projects in areas such as education, the arts and culture, social and community development, the promotion of sports and entrepreneurship.

This support mechanism for financing projects was launched in 2009 after a sustained process of dialogue between the company and the community, conducted through meetings and local working groups. As a result of these conversations, it was decided to start with a Community Development Fund through a first alliance with the Municipal District Union of Neighbourhood Associations. Given the acceptance achieved by this initiative, an Education Fund and a Sports Promotion Fund were launched in 2010 and were followed in 2011 by a pilot Productive Development Fund.

In their essence, Energía Austral’s Social and Community Development Funds seek to support ideas and proposals put forward by organisations of a markedly participative nature that reflect needs felt by the community itself and have its backing for their implementation and development over time. Through the Productive Development Fund in particular, Energía Austral seeks to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in the Aysén Region, fostering the capacity to create new enterprises and strengthening existing small businesses.