TITAN’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development can be best demonstrated by the decisions and actions taken in the construction and start-up of TITAN operations in Albania. The implementation plan for the entire project (installation and development of production and trade activities in the region) was accompanied by a special social and environmental impact study, as this is the first time that such activities were to be undertaken in this area.

The application of international standards and best practices at each level was facilitated and validated through collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the development branch of the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). An elaborate action plan was drafted in order to ensure that all potential negative effects could be prevented or promptly and effectively handled. This action plan was accompanied by a detailed analysis of the potential direct and indirect impacts on local communities, on the environment, on direct and indirect employment, and the safety and health of each group of stakeholders.

It came into effect well before construction on the new facility began, bringing the following activities into motion:

• Development and application of an integrated supply management system in line with SA8000 and ΟHSAS
• Development of a framework for the implementation of an integrated environmental management system in line with ISO 14000 
• Planning and implementation of a recruitment and human resources development policy which would generate employment opportunities 
• Continuous open communication with all stakeholder groups through the operation of local contact offices in all neighboring communities, meetings for the purpose of consultation and interaction with these groups, and establishment of a special web page 
• Implementation of schemes to raise awareness and enhance collaboration with local communities to ensure sustainable solutions for all issues related to environment, health and safety and social development. 
• Development and operation of the country’s second certified technical and vocational training centre 
• Implementation of training programs for employees key stakeholders 
• Support collaborative action and benefit from know how, experience and best practices in the areas of safety and environmental protection to foster new perspectives for sustainable development at local level.

The implementation of this project has been included in the scope of independent assessment and verification of the TITAN Group CSR and Sustainability Report for 2009 (Auditor’s report). Internal and external audits have been conducted, as well as interviews with stakeholders. The positive impacts and added value created so far from TITAN’s approach is reflected in the views of employees and stakeholders.

“TITAN has demonstrated a high level of commitment to ensuring that the project is carried out in a responsible manner and in line with its corporate policies and standards. This was reflected in TITAN’s engagement of highly qualified and dedicated personnel and business partners to deliver the project. There was a clear intention to adopting leading practice and, in some cases, the project has met the expectations of the IFC. Social and environmental issues were carefully assessed at an early stage in the project and TITAN sought to address them in an effective, innovative and transparent manner. TITAN has also aimed to use this project as an opportunity to develop the competence of its contractors and ensure a fair treatment of migrant workers and the local community”.

Larissa Luy,
Senior Environmental & Social Specialist
Environment and Social Development
Department, IFC

“In a relatively deprived area of Albania, TITAN has been innovative in mitigating adverse community impacts, not just with financial compensation but also by contributing to enabling improved employment opportunities. The wide variety of training programs will give considerable numbers of members of the neighbouring communities opportunities to learn new skills and find employment, which would otherwise not be available. In this way TITAN has shown itself to be a responsible foreign investor, in enabling men and women from the local communities people to benefit in a variety of way from its investment”.

Michaela S. Bergman,
Senior Social and Gender Policy Adviser,
Environment and Sustainability Department, EBRD