The initiative "Planting for the Future”, held last December 3, was a collaboration between the Bensaude Group and the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change.
This action was carried out in the Furnas Protected Landscape Area (a parish of enormous sentimental value for this Group), integrated in the Natural Park of São Miguel Island, aiming to promote the increase of biodiversity and the improvement of ecosystems, contributing to the recovery of the quality of the Furnas lake water, increasing landscape diversity and contributing to the environmental protection/enhancement of the hydrographic basin.
This project was born from a manifestation of interest and environmental concern, expressed by the Bensaude Group, which intends to protect and develop the richness, biodiversity and quality of the ecosystems of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
So, firstly, the spontaneous vegetation was cleaned, all weeds and invasive plants were removed and then around one thousand Cryptomeria and Oak trees were planted.
This initiative brought together several employees of the Group and their families as well as several members of the Bensaude Family.
The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen the umbilical connection that the Group, its employees and the Bensaude Family have with the Azores and the Azoreans.
Finally, it should be noted that, within the scope of its Bicentenary, the Bensaude Group planned activities that unfortunately could not take place because of the pandemic.
In late January 2020, it was possible to start this programme with an initiative of a social nature, through a tribute ceremony to the 17 Fire Brigades of the 9 islands of the Azores, with the donation of an innovative and "state-of-the-art" equipment, to assist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres.
We also highlight the launch of a book, where for the first time the history of the Bensaude Group is told from 1820 to 2020. The work called "Alto Mar - breve história da longa vida do Grupo Bensaude" took 21 months, from order to printing, and was developed by a large team of writers, consultants, researchers, designers, proof readers, "fact checkers" and graphic producers, in close collaboration with the Communication and Marketing Department of the Bensaude Group. This work was dedicated by the Group to the Bensaude Family, as well as to all Employees, the current ones and those who have dedicated themselves since 1820.
Also, in 2020, the Bensaude Group internally instituted the attribution of four scholarships to four children of employees, whose main selection criterion was school merit and excellence. They are four scholarships to support the payment of tuition fees, accommodation and transport, and contemplate the complete university cycle, some in the Azores and others on the Portuguese mainland.