Current funding model/need for change

Internationally the Salvation Army operates in 125 countries, with funding predominantly coming from the Salvation Army in a small number of Western (or industrialized) nations. Eighty percent of this funding is generated by the Salvation Army in the United States. Western Territory Commander, Commissioner James Knaggs has recognized that the current model of funding for the Salvation Army is not sustainable, and that a new model is necessary for the future. With increasing emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Western society, Commissioner Knaggs is looking at an alternative model of funding, one that emphasizes corporate partnerships as the way forward.

Definition of CSR

CSR may be defined as an organizational approach whereby corporations assess and acknowledge their responsibilities relating to the environment, employees, consumers and the community. Large corporations that generate a great deal of money, assets and power have been made accountable for their impact on society, often referred to as a ‘licence to operate.’ Rather than engaging in philanthropy by simply providing financial support to community organizations and their projects (e.g. Salvation Army), organizations are becoming increasingly involved in projects that target social change and sustainability. CSR initiatives aid an organization’s mission by demonstrating compliance with the law, ethical standards and environmental legislation. Furthermore, they can generate positive public relations, increase corporate competitiveness and enhance employee engagement.

Salvation Army Brand

As a trusted organization with a high public approval rating, the Salvation Army is an attractive partner for Western companies looking to engage in CSR. Corporate leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits that will come from implementing philanthropic endeavours in conjunction with the Salvation Army. This partnership promotes ‘cause-related marketing’ where there is mutual benefit for the two organizations. The Salvation Army Western Territory has also recognized the immense opportunity in partnering with first-world corporations outside of the United States.

Salvation Army and Brazil

One country that is in the midst of rapid economical growth is Brazil. Indeed, over the past few years Western companies have been flocking to Brazil and the country has cemented its place as the seventh largest economy in the world. In times of economic uncertainty for many nations, it is predicted that Brazil will increase its annual gross domestic product by 4.5 percent in the lead up to 2014 and take its place as the fifth largest economy in the world. As the next host of the soccer World Cup, over 250,000 jobs and $24 billion in investment will be generated over the next two years. Indeed, further growth is anticipated following the World Cup as Rio de Janeiro will also host the 2016 Summer Olympics. While Brazil’s recent economic success has seen 20 million people from a population of 190 million rise out of poverty into middle class, much work still needs to be done to improve human rights, labor rights, environmental rights and importantly, reduce corruption.

Government schemes targeting social inequality have been implemented to ease the contrast between rich and poor, giving high priority to discrimination, and discrepancies in salary among women and ethnic minorities. Legislation now requires large corporations to spend a minimum of 2% of profits on initiatives that aim to effect social change. This legislation also applies to Western companies who have opened offices in Brazil. As a result, opportunities for the implementation of new CSR projects over the next few years are abundant.

What has been done so far

The Salvation Army has operated in Brazil since 1922 and has extensive programs that demonstrate classic Salvation Army Corps and social services. Indeed, Brazilians have not forgotten the relief work provided by the Salvation Army for the 83,000 people left homeless following the floods that devastated the north-east in 2010.  The Salvation Army has also been recognized for assistance provided to rescue workers following the tragic plane crash at the Sao Paulo airport in 2007 that killed up to 200 people. Over the past ten years the Salvation Army has built constructive relationships throughout Brazil that has seen the successful development and functioning of thrift stores, with profits being filtered back into the community. More recently, the Salvation Army has been carrying out very valuable work, targeting extreme poverty demonstrated in Brazil’s poorest neighbourhoods known as favelas. This work certainly captures the heart of the Salvation Army and beautifully demonstrates its mission aimed at helping the poor and transforming lives.

However, much work still needs to be done to improve living conditions; providing safe shelter, access to food, clean water and sanitation. Due to societal problems, Westerner’s travelling to Brazil to conduct business are often placed in unsafe environments where there is a risk to the safety of individuals and their families.

What will be done in the coming months

Over the coming months, the Salvation Army Western Territory will be connecting Western businesses with offices in Brazil with the Salvation Army in Brazil to implement initiatives aimed at helping the Salvation Army’s work in Brazil. Projects will aim to reduce homelessness and domestic violence, and improve opportunities for education and employment. The Salvation Army understands that CSR initiatives need to be conducted with sensitivity, respect for the Brazilian culture and awareness of community values. Over time, it is hoped that the Salvation Army in Brazil will become self-sufficient by attracting corporate partners. As a result, increased financial support will help the Salvation Army to secure an effective funding model at the international level, and continue to improve the social welfare of people living in Brazil, and throughout the world.

We recently wrote a blog post about Creating Shared Value (CSV) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the differences between the two concepts. We received some interesting feedback from Adam McSwain about this post, highlighting the company Patagonia for their outstanding efforts with CSR/CSV.

Patagonia has a positive attitude towards social and environmental responsibility and has a plethora of information about their continuing efforts in all aspects of their business.

Not long after receiving this feedback, The Guardian Sustainable Business had an article discussing B Corps and how they are redefining business for the 21st Century.

This concept is great – if you don’t know about B Corps or Benefit Corporations check them out – over 620 companies across 15 countries have signed up with them.

And Patagonia was the first to sign up in California and their annual revenue of outdoor sports apparel top $600m, making them the largest company to sign as a B Corp.

At its most basic, companies sign up and become certified through standards set out by B Corp including social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency working towards one unified goal – redefining success in business.

Patagonia produced a video explaining the careful methods they go to in the path of every material that is used in making their products. It is also great to see they are aware the work they do now can still grow and improve.

Campaigns such as Common Threads Initiative, assists customers by reducing what they buy, repairing it instead of chucking it, re-using or passing onto other and finally recycling. Their mission is to have a world ‘where we only take what nature can replace’.

What this represents is the changing of how many companies are running their everyday work and making social and environmental responsibility as a priority in every decision made as a company. It goes beyond ‘doing it for the sake of doing it’ and this is about creating value for many more outlets than the organisation itself.

It is such a positive movement and if more companies come on board and change the way they go about their business – it could potentially alter the world.

This concept is illustrated in the work Apricot Consulting is presently doing with North Melbourne Football Club. To develop a CSR strategy that positions the club as a leaders on the global scale we are creating a program which connects the club with its surrounding community, building a relationship where both the club and the community it is part of become strong and vibrant together.

When the community strives, so does the club and vice versa.

In a report last year by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer at Harvard Business Review, the debate about ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ being outdated by ‘Creating Shared Value’ began.

If you look at both concepts it’s hard not to see them as both being relevant and appropriate for organisations. After all it’s about ‘doing well by doing good’ – right?

‘The central premise behind creating shared value is that the competitiveness of a company and the health of the communities around it are mutually dependent. Recognising and capitalising on these connections between societal and economic progress has the power to unleash the next wave of global growth and to redefine capitalism.’ Michael Porter & Mark Kramer, Creating Shared Value.

But isn’t CSR about philanthropy and sustainability, things that can help the communities surrounding businesses?

According to Kotter and Kramer’s report, many CSR programs typically focus on the reputation of the business and having an agenda determined by personal preferences of employees or external reporting. Whereas if you look at CSV, it is based on creating joint value for both company and community, working to company specific and internally generated agendas.

The evolution really shows organisational core beliefs need to start from the heart of organisations, which can realign the entire company and its focus or budget.

There is also the physical connection with the community that is amplified with CSV. Having a business thriving in a community hub is a positive factor – it provides a supportive environment and a demand for products/services it provides. And on the other hand, the community can reap in the jobs opportunities the business provides. It’s a win-win!

You can even see sections on websites such as Nestlé, titled as ‘creating shared value’ which not so long ago may have read ‘corporate social responsibility.’

‘A growing number of companies known for their hard-nosed approach to business – such as GE, Google, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Unilever, and Wal-Mart – have already embarked on important efforts to create shared value by reconceiving the intersection between society and corporate performance.’ Michael Porter & Mark Kramer, Creating Shared Value.

CSV is fundamentally different from the CSR initiatives five to 10 years ago. It is no longer enough to have a “nice” CSR program – Creating Shared Value puts this the central point of an organisation’s whole strategy.

It is here to stay and will only get bigger and better.

Along with being an AFL Field umpire and passionate sports fan and writer, Stefan Grun is a leadership development consultant specialising in the areas of effective communication, organisational development and culture change programs. With almost two decades experience in elite business and sporting environments, Stefan is passionate about transferring and sharing the lessons from one field to the other.

Previously posted on www.openforum.com.au

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Never up.

Can’t we all learn from this? Not just about kayaking, but about so many things in life. Particularly when it comes to harnessing the position on corporate social responsibility in your organisation.

I recently found a great piece on TriplePundit, where they discussed the business around corporate social responsibility in major sporting events and the impact they can have globally.

They used this equation: BUSINESS = SPORT + ENTERTAINMENT with PHILANTHROPY, CSR and GREENING as side shows…to one where: BUSINESS = SPORT + ENTERTAINMENT + SUSTAINABILITY – which really sums up how we should be looking at this.

Gone are the days of patting the sick child on the head in hospital for a good photo opportunity – now, we can be part of establishing a better life for that child and many more in the same situation.

Or instead of writing a cheque for a village in Africa, go and see what they are really dealing with and get your hands dirty in the process.

At Apricot, we are continuing our work with the North Melbourne Football Club, creating a sensational CSR program that will differentiate them from the other clubs and ultimately, become leaders of the pack.

North Melbourne community embodies a wide variety of cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. The work Apricot will do with the Kangaroos will tie them closer to the immediate community.

Joining up the recent partnership with World Vision to the community, both in North Melbourne and potentially Africa as well, will be vital to embracing The Kangaroos as game changers and begin to set them on the path for a huge program.

What we have discovered over the course of creating these programs for clients is about the massive affect it can have, locally, nationally and globally. With the right tools, knowledge and passion – it can really save lives.

The journey with CSR in sport is not one that has been broadcasted and is not commonly associated together, but significant impact they have already on the public makes CSR so much easier.

In a report funded by the UEFA Research Grant Program, Dr Geoff Walters and Richard Tacon discuss corporate social responsibility in European football and how CSR has not been reported on in the sporting industry in general until recently.

The role of sport in society has become more prominent and as sport organisations have become increasingly influential members of the global community. The concerns of transparency and accountability evident within the corporate world have transferred to sport. This has led some to suggest that sport organisations cannot ignore CSR and that they have to implement it. 

Sport organisations have, over the last few decades, engaged with various CSR imperatives, including philanthropy, community involvement and both youth educational activities and health initiatives.

Much of the research they have done led them to compiling seven key aspects to utilising CSR in a sporting organisation.

1. The popularity and global reach of sport can ensure that sport CSR has mass media distribution and communication power. That is, the prominence of sport within the media helps to promote and communicate CSR activities to a wide audience.
2. Sport CSR has youth appeal: children are more likely to engage in a CSR program if it is attached to a sport organization or a sports personality.
3. Sport CSR can be used to deliver positive health impacts through programs and initiatives designed around physical exercise.
4. Sport CSR will invariably involve group participation and therefore aid social interaction.
5. This can also lead to cultural understanding and integration.
6. Particular sport activities may lead to enhanced environmental and sustainability awareness.
7. Finally, participating in sport CSR activities can also provide immediate gratification benefits.

With these in mind, the process of creating a stand-out CSR program for the North Melbourne Kangaroos will be a challenge, but we are ready to get our hands dirty for this and potentially change some lives.

Chairman of Ford Motor Company, William Ford Jr. once said, “social obligation is much bigger than supporting worthy causes. It includes anything that impacts people and the quality of their lives.”

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is what is changing those impacts and the quality of people’s lives. It is now being used more and more in the heart of the business strategy. This includes its HR strategies, marketing strategies as well as the thinking behind investor relations.

There are still sceptics, there will always be – but the changes and significance of having a CSR program implemented for many organisations globally, is huge. The variation of transparency on environmental and social commitments, waste management (not just physical waste but power etc) all the way to employee engagement to bringing about massive social change is what makes CSR sexy.

There are points which CSR covers across the board that affect daily running and optimally the strength of companies. To start off with CSR is important for human resources (HR). Why? And who says so? Some HR Managers would argue they already do plenty towards CSR in the company such as employee wellbeing and volunteer programs, so what makes sustainability any different?

To attract and retain the best employees, organisations have to be the best. Employees are very conscious of their own employee brand. They don’t want that “damaged “by a tainted organisation or company brand. The best organisations today are those that are innovative, fun, safe and are impacting the world in a way beyond themselves.

So what about employee engagement and retention? Surely that is a basic connection between CSR and HR?

Without happy and encouraged employees, you struggle to find a happy, fulfilling workplace. The CSR programs and initiatives set up have a huge role in both how staff feel about the company and its schemes and also, whether it is portrayed through staff productivity.

This is particularly apparent for new graduates heading into the workforce who are now on the lookout for these sustainable, transparent organisations. Many are even willing to take a cut in pay, for a company that would encourage volunteering and have a positive environmental footprint. A stat from Harvard Business Review in 2011, stated that –

“88.3% of graduating MBA students said they would take pay cut to work for firms that have ethical business practices, and the average amount they’d forgo is $8,087, according to a survey of 759 students in North America and Europe.”

NetImpact also recently completed a study across all generations, and found many of the ‘new generation’ millenialls expect to make an impact through their work.

This brings out a new trend called ‘impact careers’ – which is simple terms means making positive social/environmental differences through one’s work.  A motion not commonly associated with previous generations of workers.

Generation Y, particularly those with a college education, have been taught throughout their lives to think globally. They are instilled with feelings of becoming a world citizen. This is particularly enforced by technology such as the internet, social networking and increased global mobility.

But although the internal dealings are important, the stakeholders and external interests cannot be forgotten either.

Investors are constantly putting up their money behind organisations that participate in ethical behaviour in their business practices.

Particularly areas such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling or weapons manufacturing are typically avoided – unlike what was reported in Jakarta Post last month reporting tobacco firms targeting minors via CSR programs!

For the most successful and effective corporations, CSR is now a major consideration of overall strategic planning. It affects many aspects of the corporation’s life: its people, consumers, suppliers and investors – prime example of the BP oil spill in 2010 in the Gulf Coast. Now three years on, BP has spent around $150 million into promotions to help recover the region – with a very large positive impact being made on residents and local businesses.

As many organisations do not yet get this concept, implementing these practices will ensure responsible and socially aware corporations are ahead of the curve in HR strategies, marketing strategies as well the relationships with investors and will be around for the long haul. Knowledge is no longer power; responsibility is.

Working with local, national and international sports teams is a dream of many organisations as part of their corporate social responsibility schemes – but what about the sports teams themselves?

Sporting Organisations can be a major driving force for change especially in youth issues such as childhood obesity, academic failure, violence and teen pregnancy. Familiar sport stars and their teams can have an enormous impact on not just their fans, but many people or situations across the globe.

And it doesn’t stop there. Using CSR for sports teams can also combat concerns with the environment, sustainability and other emerging social issues.

FC Barcelona is one team that clearly steps up for their efforts with CSR. A not-for-profit club is owned by their members and paying an annual fee allows them to elect members to the board, headed by a president.

Their motto is ‘més que un club’ – meaning ‘more than a club’. And they stick to this. The work they do on the field is competitive and exciting, but the work they do off is just as good.

The FC Barcelona created ‘The FC Barcelona Foundation’ in 1994 and it was established to use sport as the backbone for promoting education and the positive values of sport.

The Foundation has been an endless source of participation in numerous social, cultural and sporting activities organised through the club. Players and coaching staff also donate 0.5 per cent of their wages to the Foundation.

‘FC Barcelona Foundation’ and Pies Descalzos Foundation (Columbian charity founded by pop star Shakira in 1997) are working together on the ‘Football for youth development and a healthy life’ project which includes the construction of sporting and recreational areas of Cartagena (Columbia) and Miami.

It is to benefit children most vulnerable in Columbia and Hispanic community in the U.S who are at risk of social exclusion.

Their work has been picked up globally and they have partnered with many different charities to conquer different world issues.

Work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been used to begin the eradication of polio, connections with UNICEF which began in 2006, using projects to fight AIDS.

There are also organisations that are utilising the sports industry to improve their environmental impact. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is America’s most effective environmental action group and they started work with NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 for their ‘Go Green’ efforts. Since then MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, MLS and USTA have jumped on board to action their efforts too.

It has a web-based resource that helps teams what areas of work are available in their region to pursue environmentally superior operations and supply chain options. From their website they state, “One of the many ways NRDC has been helping stadiums and arenas reduce environmental impacts is by commissioning energy, waste, and water efficiency audits — many of which result in significant cost savings.”

Apricot Consulting, who has extensive experience in working with elite Sporting organisations in Australia (Australian Football League and Australian Cricket), has recently been appointed by the North Melbourne Kangaroos to work with them on their corporate social responsibility strategies.

Over the coming months we will be working closely with the Kangaroos Board, CEO and Senior Managers to critically analyse all elements of the current CSR program and to help design a world class strategy. These discussions will provide deeper insight into potential operations of what CSR programs could achieve and a future vision for the Kangaroos. It will also lead to bringing about major social change as a result of the engagement of Sport.

Areas of work will also cover employee, fan, media and player engagement, marketplace perceptions, commercial partnerships and game development initiatives.

As things progress Apricot will keep thorough updates of our work and progress via Twitter, Facebook and the website.

As the third most destructive, environmentally damaging industry in the world, shouldn’t fashion be just as environmentally friendly as the next industry? Now, it is.

Huge names in the fashion world such as Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, American Apparel and even Bono (who even knew he designed clothes!) are doing their part in changing the carbon footprint from this $300 billion a year industry.

H&M’s 10^th annual CSR report has been buzzing in fashion networks, showing off their further commitment to being a ‘conscious’ fashion label. From the report noticeable areas of change are seen from the highlights, including – 2.4 million pairs of shoes made with water-based adhesives, using organic hemp as an alternative fabric and saving 300,000,000 litres of water from denim production.

In fact they aim to be using only sustainable cotton by 2020, but have been open about the challenges they face to getting there.

H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson says in the report, “We are proud of all the achievements we have made during the year. But we are also aware of the challenges ahead. We strive to be as transparent as possible about the progress we make.”

But it doesn’t have to be these mass, global companies doing all the good. For example, Country Road in both Australia and New Zealand has a sensational sustainability guide for the company and has been in action since 2008.

They have connections with Red Cross that make huge impacts for both organisations. Collect any unwanted Country Road clothing or accessories, take it to any Red Cross store and receive a $10 voucher towards the next purchase over $50 at Country Road. Isn’t that a good motivator not to just throw our clothes away!

This is also seen through The Salvation Army (TSA) in their Adult rehabilitation programs and thrift stores. These programs provide an environment for people to regain self-esteem and valuable vocational skills. Anyone purchasing recycled clothes from TSA stores, not only prevents the waste going into landfills but helping others reclaim their lives and helping families.

There are even such events as ‘Eco-Fashion Week’ recently held in Vancouver. The three-day event brings in more than 2,000 global VIP’s, buyers, guests, designers and many more.

And they are not just there for the fashion shows, EFW promotes speaker seminars and industry panels which propel all the aspects of the fashion industry, but into an ecological society and culture.

ASOS, one of the top online fashion retailers attracting nearly 18.5 million visitors a month, has also just recently announced its certification as a CarbonNeutral company. They are the first retailer to achieve this status under The CarbonNeutral Protocol, which is the international standard for continuing integrity and quality certification programs.

Due to their online presence, ASOS has less of an environmental impact compared to other retailers, and their main source of emissions is from packaging and customer delivery. The CO² emissions from ASOS’ energy use, business travel, non-recyclable waste, deliveries and commuting has been measured and reduced to net zero, through verified carbon offset projects.

They are also involved with numerous small charities throughout the UK including, The Prince’s Trust, Udayan Care, Oxfam and Retail Trust. As the business continues to grow, ASOS will add further initiatives to their CSR program and further its ongoing environmental policy.

Finally, a completely new initiative from London College of Fashion who have teamed up with clothing giant, Marks and Spencer to create the UK’s first Sustainable Fashion Lab. The project gives customers an insight into the world of fashion and even allows them to try designing some of their own pieces.

By taking in unwanted clothes, each item is assessed for potential use and then can be reused and transformed or taken to a local Oxfam shop. This fashion lab is happening from 26 April to 9 May in East London.

All of these changes are what can begin to make fashion sustainable and affordable for many average citizens. Let’s hope this year and for years to come, companies are open about their promises and make real changes in this ever-growing industry.

Apricot has been working on some exciting ventures this year and we are already well under way with many projects in both the US and Australia.

The Salvation Army, Western Territory, USA.

There are two major projects we have been working on for the last 8 months.

Firstly we are helping to build the relationship of the  Salvation Army with the Californian Government. For over 120 years The Salvation Army has run hundreds of programs and spent hundreds of millions of dollars, assisted millions of Californians without any formal relationship with the Californian Government. Apricot is helping TSA to see what they are actually doing now and in the past and how to communicate that great story to the Government

The second project is one that is very moving. We are working with the Adult Rehabilitation Centres (ARC’s) to help build greater links with the graduates into the broader Salvation Army community and programs. This is what has also taken me to Hawaii and Los Angeles. There are 22 centres in the Western Territory and has the largest residential rehabilitation program in the United States. They receive no Government funding for this and it is free to the participants, financed through The Salvation Army thrift stores.

I continue to work with BlueScope steel in Kansas City, Kansas. This organisation has been through great change and it has been a real pleasure to work with a number of the senior executives as well design an innovative CSR program working with recently released prisoners.

We have also just begun to work with Ambulance Victoria. This is an organisation that has been under incredible change for the last couple of years. Here we will be helping AV to understand its internal culture of the organisation and be clear about what behaviours and culture they want to drive their success for the future. This organisation has been in operation since 1880 and has a long and illustrious history. With non-profit organisations, the change of culture internally can be a real challenge. Many people working in such environments have a sense of duty or calling. We want to tap into this commitment helping to design behaviours that work best for the employees and the organisation.

Another exciting project is with University of Tasmania. We have been working with the executive team here for about six months. This project is to work with the executives to help develop a team to achieve the goals for this changing institution.

These are only some of the projects Apricot Consulting is working on at present. We continue to work with others and with many more opportunities lining up, the future is looking bright. Keep an eye out on Twitter, Facebook and the website for more information.

Every four years, the best athletes in the world come together to compete in one the biggest sporting events on the planet – the Olympic Games.

And the upcoming edition could very well be the best yet.

The London 2012 Olympic Games is in the final stages of a seven-year strategy for this event.

London won the rights for the Olympics back in 2005. Since then, the organising committee has done everything in its power to ensure the July event will be the best the world will ever see.

But so much more planning goes into events like these than what we actually see on the surface.

Many folk around the world will sit in front of their televisions at home and watch the 16 days of competition. Others will gather in their thousands and witness the splendour live at Olympic venues.

However the majority of us will forget the impact the Olympics will have, not only on London, but on the entire country, in terms of sustainability and accountability towards Corporate Social Responsibility.

For an event to be sustainable it is not the easiest of tasks as for example, a building, which can be deemed as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The Olympics will therefore have to operate differently, but still as effectively.

London 2012 has a sustainability plan, which can be viewed on its website. It has endeavoured to do a lot for the footprint it may, or may not, leave behind.

London’s bid for the Games seven years ago showed the country’s commitment to sustainability, highlighted by:

• Using venues which already exist in the UK, where possible.
• Only making permanent structures that will have long-term use after the games are complete.
• Building temporary structures for everything else.

London 2012 has even used the phrase “a catalyst for change”, emphasising this will be “the first sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

The sustainability plan, also documents the potential challenges the organising committee may face. However it stresses that it is prepared for anything and transparent in the awareness of these issues. For example, the treatment of waste during and after the Games depends on the “provision of facilities and technologies that are not yet in place”.

It is hard not to look back at previous Olympic Games and contemplate the promises that were made but never upheld.

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing were by far the most expensive ever held, with an estimated $40 billion spent in running costs and losses. This left many people homeless without compensation.

The 2004 Athens Olympics weren’t much better. The remaining buildings used during the event are now derelict and abandoned, with much of a cost to Greece.

If anything, London should have learnt a lot from the past experiences of other countries.

Yet there is little to be discouraged from the work London 2012 has done already across the country.

Of course the real test will be during and after the Games.

To keep London 2012 on target, Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 has been created to monitor and report all of the work to the public.

All eyes will be on London over the coming months, not only for the Olympics itself, but also for what could be seen as the ‘aftermath’ of what remains.