In 2001, to make its relationship with the communities where it operates the most transparent possible, to guarantee the benefits and continuity of its social actions, Alcoa set up the Community Relations Regional Board, which is responsible for decisions relating to how funds coming from Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation that are earmarked for the communities are to be applied.

Alcoa’s representatives act as facilitators in the community relations process with the Regional Board. The final decision of the other Board members is important and respected, but always taking into consideration the Company’s line of action, values and policies. Projects presented by volunteers and analyzed by the Regional Boards are made feasible with funds donated by the Alcoa Foundation and the Alcoa Institute. 

The boards analyze and discuss the allocation of these funds and after the community works have been presented the projects are supervised and monitored by Company employee volunteers. 

When they have been approved the projects are forwarded for final analysis to the Project Committee of the Alcoa Institute and the Alcoa Foundation. Regional Boards normally consist of three local Alcoa employees, two representatives from a further two companies in the region and class association members (trade associations, parent/teacher associations, local residents associations and representatives from the Lions Club, Rotary, etc). There are, on average, 12 participants on each project. 

Regional Boards are operating in the Brazilian units in São Luís-MA, Poços de Caldas and Itajubá-MG, Itapissuma-PE, Tubarão-SC and Juruti-PA.