Stationers’ Company to host influencer event
An event will be held at the historic Stationers’ Hall in London on May 20th providing networking and insights for content creators and influencers
The newly launched FESPA Foundation is calling for exhibitors to donate print materials and applications for children in underprivileged communities
The Federation of European Screen Printers Associations (FESPA) has announced the launch of The FESPA Foundation, a new sister organisation to FESPA dedicated to encouraging sustainable practices.
Under the strapline ‘print for good’, the Foundation aims to encourage environmentally positive practices throughout the speciality print and visual communications industry, as well as channelling resources into community support and educational outreach programmes.
As part of its principal activities, The FESPA Foundation will encourage exhibitors of FESPA’s various trade shows and events to produce printed applications that can enrich educational environments for children in underprivileged communities, thereby reducing printed waste from FESPA exhibitions worldwide.
The Foundation will then facilitate the collection, transportation, distribution, and installation of these print materials in the beneficiary communities via international and local partners.
FESPA will also begin collecting in-kind and monetary donations for the Foundation to further support communities, which it aims to distribute via local charities and community outreach programmes.
The FESPA Foundation’s first major initiative will be to collect printed materials and in-kind donations at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, taking place between May 6th to 9th at Messe Berlin, Germany. These materials will be distributed to community projects in southern Africa.
FESPA is also seeking the active support of exhibitors at FESPA Global Print Expo to produce printed applications such as educational posters, maps, student clothing, and backpacks to a defined set of technical and creative specifications.
Visitors to the Berlin show will also be invited to make in-kind donations of items such as used reading glasses, notebooks, pens, art kits, and school supplies.
The initiative aligns with FESPA’s ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management System standards, which seek to reduce the environmental impact of exhibitions and events by minimising waste.
The Foundation has already begun work to benefit communities. It recently revitalised Evane Intermediate School, a rural school serving 90 children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The project was overseen by FESPA Foundation associate Steve Thobela ka Mdlalose in South Africa, with support from the FESPA Africa team and partners. Thobela is a former chief executive officer of Printing SA and founding general manager of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation which develops young leaders across Africa.
Thobela coordinated resources and directed a local project team to repaint and decorate the school, upgrade toilet blocks, and deliver a range of printed educational posters and creative materials to provide a more functional and inspiring learning environment.
A video detailing the project was recently released by the organisation.
Neil Felton, chief executive officer of FESPA and founder of The FESPA Foundation, says: “FESPA is a global support organisation, and our mission has always revolved around supporting communities, educating and knowledge-sharing, and promoting sustainability.
“Through The FESPA Foundation, we can bring these core values to life beyond our day-to-day work, encouraging practices that reduce waste and environmental impact while creating long-term value for communities.”
Speaking in more detail about the goals of the Foundation, Felton concludes: “Those of us who live and breathe print believe wholeheartedly in its unique potential to engage, inform, and inspire.
“By creating the Foundation, we want to harness the combined strength of our global exhibitor and visitor base and demonstrate how, together, we can channel the power of print to drive positive change globally.”
