Damavand Mineral Water Company and UNICEF team up for girls’ education in Iran

Iranian Mineral Water Company Damavand and UNICEF Iran launched a new partnership today whereby Damavand will donate a portion of the revenues of its water bottle sales to UNICEF Iran to help finance girls’ education projects. This is the first time in Iran that a share of the sales of a product will benefit a charitable cause.

Under this one-year partnership, Damavand mineral water bottles now feature the UNICEF logo and describe how this partnership benefits Iranian Children. Both the words ‘Water’ and ‘Education’ begin with the letter ‘A’ in Farsi, which explains why the partnership campaign is called A as in Water, A as in Education.

Some 4,500 children in the areas of Hormozgan, West Azarbaijan and Sistan & Balochestan are targeted in this initiative. Activities will include promotion of community-based school management and providing quality education.

“This is a win-win situation,” said Jan-Pieter Kleijburg, Deputy Representative UNICEF Iran. “It is good for UNICEF, as it helps us to expand important activities without relying too much on funds from abroad. It is good for Damavand Mineral Water Company, as it provides a channel for the company to fulfil its corporate social responsibilities. And it is good for the children in remote parts of the country, who will benefit from quality education and a better chance to have a good future.”

For the Iranian mineral water company, the partnership with UNICEF highlights the company’s awareness of its social responsibility.

"Damavand is very proud to start this pioneering programme with UNICEF Iran to help provide education to thousands of children of our country,” said Farhad Besharat, chairman of the board of Damavand Mineral Water Company. “Our shareholders currently support several other youth and education programmes because we are aware of our responsibility to invest in Iran’s future generations.”