Challenge
Alcoa sought to strengthen and better structure its social investment strategy, ensuring greater conceptual clarity, alignment with global guidelines, and coherence across its voluntary and mandatory social initiatives. The challenge involved developing a shared strategic narrative, aligning the company’s approach with regional and local contexts, and creating tools to support the management, monitoring, and evaluation of its portfolio of social projects.
In this context, IDIS supported Alcoa in reviewing its strategy, structuring its approach around a Theory of Change, and establishing clear guidelines to inform decision-making and the implementation of initiatives across the communities where the company operates.
Solution and Results
IDIS led a strategic planning process for Alcoa’s social investment, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of the company’s existing initiatives. The assessment included a review of institutional documents, interviews with key stakeholders, an analysis of local social contexts, and benchmarking against industry practices.
Building on these findings, IDIS conducted a strategic review that included the development of an overarching framework for Alcoa’s social initiatives and a Theory of Change, as well as an update of the key concepts guiding the company’s social investment. The process also included local workshops with regional teams, which helped further develop the strategy and tailor its guidelines to specific local contexts.
As a result, priority programs were identified, an action plan was developed, and a Monitoring and Assessment Plan was designed, including criteria for project selection and ongoing monitoring. Alcoa now has an integrated strategy that supports the monitoring and continuous improvement of its social initiatives, enhancing value creation for both communities and the business.
About the Organization
A global leader in the production of bauxite, alumina, and aluminum, Alcoa was built on a strong foundation of values focused on shared and sustainable development. The company embraces leading innovation practices to operate efficiently, safely, and responsibly while strengthening communities in the regions where it operates.
In Brazil, Alcoa has three production facilities, located in Poços de Caldas (Minas Gerais), São Luís (Maranhão), and Juruti (Pará); two offices, in São Paulo (São Paulo) and Poços de Caldas (Minas Gerais); and equity interests in four hydroelectric power plants: Machadinho, Barra Grande, Serra do Facão, and Estreito. With 10,000 direct and indirect employees, Alcoa continues to be guided by values such as “act with integrity,” “operate with excellence,” “care for people,” and “lead with courage,” bringing together operational excellence, economic performance, social impact, and environmental stewardship to build a better future.
