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Meaningful engagement with local communities

Building and maintaining good relations with and supporting the vitality of local communities close to our operations is essential to our success. Our business relies on thriving and resilient communities.

Our aim is to be a good neighbor and a trusted partner to the people and communities affected by our operations, both directly and indirectly. We engage actively and openly with local communities wherever we operate, whether through our forest operations, mills, or supply chains.

We create positive impact

We aim to bring long-term value to local communities. From developing infrastructure to generating employment and paying taxes, our presence supports prosperity and opportunities.

We invest in people and future generations through:

Apprenticeship programs in Finland, Germany, and Uruguay

Collaboration with educational institutions and research networks

Initiatives that strengthen local skills and social capital

In Uruguay, the UPM Foundation works closely with local organizations and representatives to promote education and entrepreneurship and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Share and Care program

Our Share and Care program reflects our commitment to building a sustainable, innovation-driven future. We support causes that promote youth, education, climate change mitigation and biodiversity. In 2024, we contributed approximately €1.7 million in local support and charitable donations.

Meaningful engagement

We listen to our stakeholders' insights and want to address their needs. We engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, employees, NGOs and local authorities.

We tailor our approach based on local needs and context. Whether it’s through local forums at our mills or by dedicated teams.

We want to keep the dialogue open and ongoing.

Community engagement includes:

Mapping and prioritizing stakeholders
Mitigating and monitoring impacts
Engaging local communities and informing them about our operations
Managing concerns and feedback
Creating collaborative projects with key stakeholders

We regularly conduct social monitoring and public opinion surveys, especially in Uruguay, to understand and respond to the needs of our local stakeholders.

We are committed to sustainable forest management and operations. All UPM-owned forests are certified by the PEFC, FSC®, or SFI and meet high international standards, including respect for community, land and indigenous rights.

In Minnesota, the U.S., UPM Blandin acknowledges the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples. We honor their cultural heritage and strive to balance forest management with their rights and traditions, continuously improving our knowledge and collaboration.

Forests and communities

We regularly assess environmental, social, and human rights impacts. Our actions include:

Environmental and social impact assessments
Human rights due diligence across operations and supply chains
Third-party certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and forestry certifications
Transparent local reporting through mill-specific EMAS reports

Managing sustainability at UPM

Supporting employees in restructuring

In restructuring situations, we work closely with employees, their organizations, authorities, and other stakeholders. We provide financial support for retraining, re-employment, relocation, and new business initiatives. All actions follow national labor laws and international best practices.

Beyond our mandatory obligations, we offer extensive re-employment programs for those affected by permanent closures or restructuring. These include retraining, relocation within the company, support for entrepreneurship, severance payments, and outplacement guidance. These efforts are carried out in cooperation with relevant authorities and partners.