Programme Evaluation

An Independent Report

During the final year of our 'Investing in Nature' five year partnership with HSBC, Earthwatch enlisted the support of the University of Cambridge's Programme for Industry to undertake independent research into the HSBC emplyoyees experience of the programme.

The aim was to build on anecdotal evidence received from employees that participated on the programme that their Earthwatch experience had improved personal and professional skills and motivated them to continue their involvement with environmental issues.

From over 1300 questionnaires sent out, the following information was established:

The Earthwatch Employee Engagement Programme has:

• developed staff's environmental awareness and understanding - 90% agreed that their environmental and biodiversity awareness had been developed through their experience.
  
  
• improved staff's awareness and understanding of community development issues - 81% agreed with this.
  
  
• developed key management skills, including leadership and teamwork, building and maintaining relationships and responding to change - over 70% agreed that they had developed competencies in one or more of these areas.
  
  
• improved staff's awareness and understanding of diversity - 74% of those who had conducted community projects agreed with this.
  
  
• enhanced motivation about HSBC as an employer, leading to potential gains in recruitment and retention of staff - 82% agreed that their fellowship experience had made them view HSBC more positively and 91% agreed that it had made them more likely to recommend HSBC as an employer to others.
  
  
• helped embed the environmental cause within HSBC's culture, acting as an agent of change.