“We need to live our brand not just recite words on a page. So what better way to bring it to life than have our employees choose worthy causes that matter to them and then deliver our innovations to improve people’s lives,” said Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips Lighting. “We received more than 200 nominations and thousands of our employees voted to decide the winning projects that are now being implemented in 17 countries. The Thanh Son village project illustrates how we’re enhancing life with light and improving people’s lives.”

Le Viet Hung, Marketing Manager, Philips Lighting Vietnam, who nominated the project and worked with a team of nine employees to install the lighting said, “The candles and kerosene lamps have been put away and the smiles on people’s faces say it all. Children can play safely and study in the evening and village life has blossomed, no longer constrained by the setting sun. Our technology not only improved their lives but ours, showing that our lighting innovations really do matter. It makes me feel good inside.”

Notes to Editors

According to The World Bank, 1.2 billion people worldwide live without access to electricity. About 80% of those without access to modern energy live in rural areas.

About The Philips Gift of Light
In July 2013, Philips Lighting employees in 17 geographies were invited to nominate worthy causes or projects that could benefit from a Philips gift of light made up of innovations and services. Nominated projects were judged locally. Up to five shortlisted projects per geography were then voted upon by employees in each geography. The winners were announced in November 2013 to coincide with the unveiling of the new Philips brand positioning. The initiative was designed to engage employees emotionally and intellectually about the company’s brand promise (Philips delivers innovation that matters to you). This internal positioning underpins Philips’ external brand line, Innovation and You.

The Philips Lighting Management team reviewed all the winning projects and voted for an overall winner to receive an extra round of funding. The Thanh Son village project won this prize. The winning regional projects are in various stages of implementation and will be completed in the coming months. 

The winning projects vary around the world. They include lighting in facilities for homeless people and for the elderly; lighting to comfort children and families in a children’s hospice; lighting for specialist care facilities; lighting for communities in underprivileged and  underserved areas, such as lighting for a hospital, school, etc..