Social investment projects

We support community development projects, indirectly, through the independent Shell Foundation (see Shell Foundation) and directly, in programmes run by Shell operations in individual countries. In these country programmes we aim to work with the community on projects that address issues directly linked to our business, like access to energy or education. We also seek to give local people control of the project, and wherever possible, to involve development experts from NGOs. In 2008, our country operations spent a total of approximately $148million on social investment, according to our financial systems around the world, the vast majority on community development activities. We also support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Our contribution to these eight targets is described in a separate, online report.