Corporate Social Responsibility

Ecological fleet:
In 2015 Armonea won the award for "clean fleet of the year". Armonea's fleet is diversified and includes electric vehicles used by the technical services. An important decision-making parameter is the CO2 emissions of potential new vehicles. Thanks to a balanced approach combining ecology and financial feasibility, the average emissions at Armonea are already below 110g / km.

Green Deal circular purchases:
On June 8, 2017, Armonea signed the Green Deal Circular Purchase, a project that focuses on maximum reusability of materials and minimal loss of value. By signing this charter, we commit ourselves to purchase with respect for human, planet and wallet. The launch was given by Minister Schauvliege, with signatories committed to buying not only products, but also sustainable solutions. Thus we maximize materials and resources and reduce the waste. For example, Armonea has purchased reusable pet bottles instead of disposable bottles. The Green Deal is limited to projects until June 2019, but it is beyond doubt that in all our future deals we will be more aware of the impact on the environment and a fair production process.

E-invoicing:
Since 2014, Armonea has been working with an E-invoicing system. For a company that processes thousands of invoices monthly, it has a number of obvious benefits:
• Environmentally friendly compared to traditional invoices on paper;
• Efficient: Digital invoice processing requires less time, is corrected, allows for faster payment and costs significantly less (6.7 euro average cost of processing a digital bill compared to 17.6 euro for a paper bill).

Nanogrid:
Armonea Belgium has been working together with Nanogrid, a power management system since the end of 2015, which ensures that all energy consumption (gas, water, electricity, corn salt) can be followed by all branches. This energy approach was implemented in 3 steps:
• Optimization of HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
• The installation of the Nanogrid system with continuous monitoring of the consumption, for example, where there is also a direct alarm when used differently (eg water leak)
• Further action plans - based on the data collected - to further optimize consumption without reducing the comfort of the home
Thanks to this approach, Belgium has already saved 11.5% in energy consumption in 2016!
Meanwhile, the Nanogrid system is also rolled out in locations in Spain and Germany

LED-lighting:
Throughout all Armonea offices, checks have been carried out in the last few years in lighting. In addition, more than 12,000 lamps were replaced (including old halogen lamps present) by LED lamps. The big advantage is known: durability in terms of energy consumption and lifetime, combined with light quality (warm and pleasant light for our residents and employees).

EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer):
Armonea supports financially, through the EORTC, the research into a modified treatment for seniors affected by cancer.

Armonea Experience:
Already 3 years, all teams in Armonea Belgium have been working on this quality program, focusing on providing quality of life to our residents and their loved ones. That is, we not only pay attention to excellent care and peace of mind but also to an environment where residents can feel at home, enjoy life and contact with friends and family. Within this program, for example, interest is attached to privacy, the creation of an open house where visitors like to get lots of space and the experience within the restaurant and bar. The program was built on the basis of input from all Armonea employees, and is evaluated annually through internal audits and, of course, through the annual satisfaction survey.

People with dementia offer more than a standard approach:
Armonea, as co-founder of Anahata, developed a personal vision for care for people with dementia, which was fully rolled out in the pilot project Tillens in the care center. Based on the pilot's success, this vision of dementia is now phased out in all protected departments within Armonea's residential care centers. The group also works with the universities of Valencia and Bradford to refine the dementia approach.

Employment & Armonea Academy
With nearly 6,400 locally employed employees in Belgium, Armonea is one of the twenty largest employers in our country. Armonea's employees are a very important stakeholder. In order to ensure that employees have opportunities for development and growth opportunities, Armonea Academy has been developed. Via Armonea Academy, more than 40 different courses are offered so that employees can continue to develop.

At local level

Armonea is already taking a number of initiatives at the architectural level, such as economical pellet stoves (Résidence Du Parc / Grez-Doiceau) and solar boilers (La Pairelle / Dinant), and there are several initiatives in the test phase: the most obvious is the study of use of hydropower for new facilities. A technology was also installed at all sites to monitor and reduce energy consumption (water / gas / electricity).

Some of our newest houses (Terrasses du Bois and Tillens) have installed a green roof, which provides benefits in terms of water management (rainwater capture), heat and sound insulation, biodiversity and health (air purification).

In various facilities there are collection boxes for collecting bottle caps for the benefit of blind guided dogs. Idem as regards collection of clothing through collection containers, which can also be supported by a charity (world mission aid).

Residential care centers such as De Hovenier and Salve work together with local living and day care centers for disabled people, allowing them, for example, to use the local fitness room, under supervision.

Planholders are supported by a number of houses, which allows residents to build a tire with the shelves and invest in their future.

Bringing together the very young and oldest of our society
Every Armonea home care center regularly opens its doors to the young people in the area. Sinterklaas celebrate with a nursery garden, a workshop with primary school, a helping hand of youth movement, ...: the residents and the children enjoy the togetherness.

Create a close community with the local environment.
That all Armonea facilities are part of local life, prove more than 800 volunteers (in Flanders united under the VZW 'Volunteers for Seniors'). There are also neighborhood events and activities that the families of the residents can attend.