Impact Report
2021, a pivotal year

Saying that 2021 was an extraordinary year understates the reality. The phrase “before COVID” has rapidly become normal but the consequences are anything but that. The wider impact of the pandemic across the planet, the accelerating vulnerability of communities to climate change, and the less visible but no less dramatic impact of uncertainty and inequity on the mental well-being of our societies and the confidence of the youth of the world in particular, are all too big for just one organization to change. The appalling crisis in Europe has brought with it scars that will drive down even further a generation’s trust and confidence in our future. 

Against this darkening backdrop, I am incredibly proud of the actions that the Z Zurich Foundation (the Foundation), the people of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) and the charitable organizations we work with are taking. Individual actions can and do make real and lasting difference to the vulnerable in our society. They also create momentum for society-wide change. Today, there is widespread recognition of the need for action to protect our planet and its people. The early activists were not always popular or listened to but their legacy is felt every day. 

We took early action to focus in 2021 on the impact of the pandemic on the vulnerable. Globally, our campaign supported UNICEF’s efforts for the COVAX Facility, aiming to deliver COVID-19 vaccine doses to those who were particularly disadvantaged, was the right action undertaken rapidly. Working in about 50 countries across the world, we have responded to the incredible humanity of Zurich people committed to making a real difference to the communities in which they live and work. We also continued to support the charities we work with so they could focus on the needs of their beneficiaries safe from immediate financial challenges. 

The outstanding Foundation management team, led so well by Gregory Renand, ensured that we didn’t lose sight of the long term change we can effect, for example through preventative work on floods. In fact, we have accelerated this work and its impact rapidly – in 2021 we helped 300 communities in 21 countries put themselves in control to protect themselves from the ravages of flooding and supporting stability for 600,000 people, 90% more than last year. 

The program in Peru has been a key contributor to this increase. The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance is now globally recognized and responded to by governments. Likewise, we have pushed forward with more programs in more countries than ever that support mental wellbeing and deal with social exclusion and inequity. Programs like Tackle your Feelings and collaborations like those with the Forge Foundation and Junior Achievement are having even more impact and last year, through our country programs alone, we were able to make a difference for 925,000 people in 28 countries across the world.

As we turned to 2022, Zurich people and the Foundation showed their humanity once more, this time providing support and homes for those fleeing the horrors of Ukraine. At the same time, we committed to a coalition of the willing to help the mental wellbeing of the youth of the world. By reducing stigma and taking early and preventative action we have already seen that change can happen but it needs society wide commitment to make this happen.
Thank you to the Foundation Team, champions and volunteers across the world, the charities we collaborate with for the impact delivered, my fellow Trustees for your commitment and Zurich for your support to the Foundation.

Gary Shaughnessy
Chair of the
Z Zurich Foundation 

What 2021 taught me is that despite the challenges, together we can move mountains. Indeed, 2021 was a pivotal year for the Z Zurich Foundation. A year where we again saw people joining forces. 

An amazing example was the fundraising campaign the Foundation launched to support UNICEF’s efforts to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. Zurich employees, customers, suppliers, and distributors answered the Foundation’s call to action to ensure vaccine equity. This was the biggest fundraising campaign in the Foundation’s history. A true example of activism in action and how, when we join forces, we can create brighter futures for the most vulnerable people.
The ability we all have to inspire each other gives us robust foundations to be there in time of crisis, while also delivering on our ambition to make a difference in the lives of 11 million people by 2024.

In 2021, we have made exceptional progress in the execution of our strategy. We positively impacted 3,770,000 people worldwide (18% year-on-year increase). In parallel, we strengthened our capacity and ability to accelerate our impact further, with the development of more multi-year strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations. 
Thank you to all the activists among you who have embarked on this impactful journey with us. I look forward to continuing our work together.

Gregory Renand
Head of the Z Zurich Foundation