Print campaigns that really make a difference
What future is there for the unemployed ... with no skills ... and no resources? With little self-esteem they lack the impetus to gain entry into the job market. No longer is this the case in a small South African town. Through a motivated non-governmental organisation that was a recipient of a Sappi ideas that Matter grant in 2005, circumstances have changed for the better. Using the grant to produce fund-raising material which has achieved its objectives of additional funding, the disadvantaged in Stellenbosch are now training and being employed as waitrons, chefs, nurse aids and many other practical occupations.
Sappi, the world's leading manufacturer of coated fine paper, through its Ideas that Matter initiative has again awarded its annual funding to innovative designers for print campaigns that promote worth causes.
The international Ideas that Matter initiative provides the graphic design community with a global platform to showcase their ideas to help promote the social causes they care about through grant funding to design students, professional designers and design agencies to produce print campaigns for social, environmental and humanitarian causes. The designers donate their time and expertise developing campaigns for worthy causes, while Sappi provides the funding needed to cover implementation costs.
Launched in 1999, Ideas that Matter draws entries from all over the world, and grants totalling US$1 million are awarded annually. Over the past eight years, US$8 has resulted in some of the most creative and effective campaigns ever produced for non-profit organisations.
This year, over 300 entries were received from designers and students in 20 countries, with 35 of these entries selected for funding. Causes such as climate change, cancer research, animal anti-cruelty and interventions for the disabled, youth and marginalised communities have received funding.
As in previous years the judges were selected from the design and communication industries' luminaries in each region. "It becomes harder and harder," said a judge from North America "for judges to evaluate each year's entries. Ideas that Matter becomes a testament that great ideas and beautiful design can be a powerful combination to influence and effect change." His European counterpart feels that, "Ideas that Matter is a different source of 'self-enrichment', working with the jurors and the international entrants on Sappi's great ITM initiative."
The initiative is open to entries in the three regions, North America, Europe and southern Africa where Sappi has manufacturing units, with final awards made on the basis of innovation, creativity, impact and potential effectiveness.
"Print remains one of the most powerful forms of communication," says André Oberholzer Group Head Corporate Affairs, Sappi. "It provides an immediate experience of the communications message and, as a result, prompts a response at a very personal level. This makes print an exceptionally effective channel for non-profit organisations - for fundraising purposes, education and raising awareness.
"At Sappi, we believe in harnessing the power of print, and using that power to promote socio-economic well-being," says Oberholzer. "Ideas That Matter was originally developed in consultation with our clients, to support creative, caring people that are committed to making a difference to worthy causes in their own communities. Our company is committed to conducting business in stable, healthy communities, and Ideas that Matter is an important aspect of that commitment."
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