VAUDE is one of the finalists for the CSR Prize of the Federal Government
- VAUDE among the top companies
- Pioneering work for living wages in the textile supply chain
Tettnang, 04.04.2025 - VAUDE was among the 15 finalists honored for their exemplary corporate responsibility at this year's CSR Award of the German Federal Government, which was presented in Berlin on April 3. The outdoor brand was nominated in the "Good Business Practices" category for its innovative "VAUDE Share" project, with which the company voluntarily contributes to the payment of living wages in the supply chain. Anika Mauz, who is responsible for the project at VAUDE, was at the award ceremony in Berlin: "The nomination is a great recognition of our commitment to greater social justice in the supply chain. I am very pleased to receive this recognition on behalf of the entire VAUDE team, our partners and everyone who supports us on this journey."
The German government's CSR Award recognizes outstanding corporate responsibility projects and measures in five categories. From a total of 150 companies, the high-caliber jury nominated 15 companies and awarded the prize to five of them .
VAUDE was nominated in the "Good Business Practices" category with the "VAUDE Share" project, which shows how the payment of living wages can be implemented along the supply and value chain. The winner of this category was the bicycle tire manufacturer Schwalbe, with whom VAUDE already works closely to promote recycled materials in the outdoor and bicycle industry.
Living wages through "VAUDE Share"
VAUDE has been committed to fair wages and good working conditions in the global supply chain for many years, going above and beyond the legal requirements. With the "VAUDE Share" pilot project, VAUDE is addressing one of the key challenges facing the global textile industry: although minimum wages are set by law in many countries, they are not enough to cover the cost of living. Since VAUDE usually only utilizes the production facilities proportionally, a methodology had to be developed to close this gap: "VAUDE Share". Specifically, this means that VAUDE analyzes the difference between the wages actually paid in the manufacture of its products and the recognized benchmarks for living wages - and compensates for the gap financially. "A living wage is a human right - but unfortunately not a reality in many production countries. That's why we are making our contribution where market mechanisms and legal frameworks have so far failed," says Antje von Dewitz.
The first stage of the pilot project is already being implemented in Myanmar. Since May 2024, the "VAUDE Share" has flowed directly into the wages of all employees at the production facility every month. In order to comply with and continuously improve social standards in Myanmar, VAUDE is working closely with two EU-funded projects - SMART and MADE (Multi-Stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment) - together. Production in Myanmar is also in line with the recommendations of the independent Fair Wear (FW), where VAUDE has had leader status for over 10 years. VAUDE's goal is to gradually expand this approach to all production partners worldwide.
Initiating change together
The methodology is designed to be transferable to other brands and industries. After all, the more manufacturers also make their financial contribution, the faster living wages can become a reality in production facilities around the world. "We are consciously sharing our methodology and inviting other companies to adopt this collaborative model. Together we can start a movement and create more social justice in global supply chains," says Antje von Dewitz.
About the CSR Award of the German Federal Government
Since 2013, the German government has awarded the CSR Prize to companies that incorporate social responsibility into their business activities in an exemplary manner. The prize is awarded in several categories and takes into account ecological as well as social and economic criteria. Find out more: CSR Prize 2025 - CSR
Read more in the VAUDE Sustainability Report and at vaude.com:
VAUDE Share: VAUDE CSR Report - Fair Wages
Social responsibility: VAUDE CSR Report - Our responsibility
Fair production at VAUDE: Fair production of sustainable outdoor products