FESPA has announced the launch of The FESPA Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in the speciality print and visual communications industry. Under the banner ‘Print for Good’, the foundation will also focus on community support and educational outreach.

The FESPA Foundation will encourage exhibitors to produce print applications that enrich educational environments for underprivileged children, reducing exhibition waste. It will also facilitate the collection, transportation, and distribution of these materials, collaborating with international and local partners. Additionally, the foundation will collect donations to support beneficiary communities through credible charities and outreach programmes.

The initiative aligns with FESPA’s ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management System standards, aiming to reduce waste and maximise the positive legacy of FESPA exhibitions.

A recent project has already demonstrated the foundation’s impact. The FESPA Foundation has revitalised Evane Intermediate School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Led by Steve Thobela ka Mdlalose, the project involved repainting and decorating the school, upgrading toilet facilities, and delivering printed educational materials to enhance the learning environment.

The foundation’s first major initiative will take place at FESPA Global Print Expo (6-9 May 2025, Messe Berlin, Germany), where printed materials and donations will be collected for distribution to community projects in southern Africa. Exhibitors will be encouraged to produce educational posters, maps, and student clothing, following specific guidelines informed by local programme partners. Visitors can also contribute in-kind donations such as school supplies and reading glasses, as well as monetary donations for essential items like mosquito nets and clean-water drinking straws.

Transport for the collected materials will be provided free of charge by FESPA’s logistics partner DSV. The Kingsley Holgate Foundation, a recognised community organisation, will distribute these materials in South Africa. In the future, The FESPA Foundation aims to expand similar initiatives to other regions, including Mexico, Brazil, and Asia.

Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA and founder of The FESPA Foundation, stated: “FESPA has always been dedicated to supporting communities, promoting education, and advancing sustainability. Through The FESPA Foundation, we can extend these principles beyond our industry, reducing waste while creating meaningful change. We believe in the power of print to engage, inform, and inspire, and we want to use this influence to drive positive impact globally.”

www.fespafoundation.com