alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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Alinea International’s Expert Deployment Mechanism – Climate Action Africa (CAA) is thrilled that our partner, Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has won an Earthshot Prize. GAYO wins portraying and addressing e-waste mismanagement, which is, and, has been huge in Ghana for a number of years. Their novel and innovative work in circular waste management across Africa is a crucial initiative that aligns with Alinea’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action.

Desmond Alugnoa, one of the co-founders accepted the prize on behalf of GAYO. The Earthshot Prize (one of five top winners) provides GAYO with 1 million GBP to scale up their work. GAYO was one of the top 15 finalists for the 2024 Earthshot Prize out of 400 nominees.

The Partnership: Climate Action Africa and GAYO

Climate Action Africa (CAA), funded by Global Affairs Canada, and implemented by Alinea International, Econoler and WSP, provides technical assistance to Sub Saharan African countries seeking support in meeting their climate commitments. Through this program, primarily Canadian climate experts are deployed to collaborate with governments, NGOs, and local stakeholders to help advance and implement the Paris Agreement.

As part of this partnership, GAYO recently conducted a 3-week Youth Climate Leadership Training of Trainers in Northern Ghana in partnership with Canadian technical experts, Future at Play. This program equipped 75 young women and men with the skills to address climate challenges in their communities. In addition to developing leadership skills on environmental issues, the training addressed key gender issues such as “period poverty,” empowering young women and men to contribute to climate solutions through eco-entrepreneurship and nature-based strategies. By deploying technical expertise through CAA, GAYO helped build local capacity to adapt to climate change while fostering gender equity. More from Gayo’s Project Coordinator, Benedict Fosu Arthur on “Empowering the Next Generation of Climate Leaders” can be found here.

What is the Earthshot Prize?

The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William in 2020, is one of the most renowned global awards focused on environmental innovation. Its mission is to identify and scale solutions that tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. GAYO has been nominated by the Clean Air Fund, which recognized their efforts to revolutionize waste management practices in Africa.

About GAYO and Their Contribution to Climate Change

Founded in 2014, GAYO was established with a vision of a world where people live in harmony with the natural systems on which they depend. GAYO trains and employs individuals from diverse communities, including women, young people, waste collectors and waste pickers on best practices in waste management and commercial skills. By doing so, they empower these individuals to generate income through activities like selling compost and charcoal briquettes made from waste. Their focus on community-wide inclusion, combined with their deep expertise in climate leadership, makes GAYO a vital partner in regional initiatives, such as the work they’ve completed with Alinea International’s EDM-CAA project.

GAYO’s Zero Waste Model

GAYO’s nomination for the Earthshot Prize stems from its innovative Zero Waste Model. This model aims to address urgent challenges in cities in Africa that lack sustainable waste services and public awareness about proper disposal and recycling. GAYO connects waste management professionals with community members and minority groups involved in waste work, ensuring that all stakeholders are valued contributors to the system. GAYO’s Zero Waste Model offers a scalable solution that could dramatically reduce waste-related pollution while creating economic opportunities for marginalized groups.

Alinea International is thrilled to celebrate GAYO’s well-deserved Earthshot Prize achievement. Their innovative work in waste management and climate leadership is helping to create a cleaner, greener future for Africa and beyond.

We invite you to learn more about GAYO’s work and this Climate Action Africa initiative here and follow us on our social media.

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