DOW | 2021 ESG REPORT | 71 COMMUNITY INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE AND PLACES WHERE WE LIVE AND WORK Collaborating with Communities Dow is committed to building resilient communities to address unmet needs while keeping our employees and communities safe. UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS’ NEEDS We know that by listening and collaborating with nonprofit partners, we can prioritize and allocate resources to achieve the greatest impact. Some examples of how we learn about and respond to specific community needs include: • I n 2021, we launched a Community Opinion and Needs Assessment to provide data-based and objective insights into the needs of strategic Dow communities (defined as cities near large Dow manufacturing facilities). • I n Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, we worked with the nonprofit Hidden Harvest to address the 138% increase in food insecurity due to the pandemic. As a result, Hidden Harvest was able to secure a refrigerated truck, enabling them to rescue 2.5 million pounds of food and deliver more than 2 million meals to those in need. • I n Zhangjiagang, China, we applied our resources to impact 234 students with disabilities by creating opportunities to build greater confidence, social resilience and career readiness skills. • I n Turkey, Dow and local NGO partner ÖRAV initiated the Environmental Literacy program to deliver comprehensive sustainability training to primary school teachers and students. • I n India, we engaged with Mann Deshi to equip rural women in Chiplun, near Dow’s Lote plant, with long-term career and entrepreneurial skills. More than 85% of Dow sites globally implement local community engagement programs, which may include employee volunteerism, donations, serving on community boards, participation in community or municipality committees, as well as hosting community advisory committees (CACs). CACs are active at key Dow sites to obtain community perceptions about Dow, share Dow product and technology information, and understand how Dow can improve collaboration with community partners to address community needs. These committees operate across the Dow world and help shape Dow’s global citizenship programming, resource allocation and charitable contribution decisions. All large Dow U.S. manufacturing sites participate in CACs. Outside of the United States, similar committees also meet to understand needs. Dow’s Government Affairs organization also develops and fosters relationships with key elected leaders at all levels of government to advance advocacy priorities. Additionally, we proactively engage with key policymakers, regulators and trade associations to position Dow as a thought leader on priority issues.