Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is home to the European headquarters of many global corporations and has achieved remarkable economic growth in recent years. However, behind this prosperity, some areas still grapple with social issues such as poverty and inequality. In these communities, insufficient public investment in infrastructure has led to problems like deteriorating public housing and a lack of community facilities. Furthermore, persistent safety concerns, including a high incidence of drug-related crime, threaten the environment for children to grow up safely and thrive.
To address this challenge, SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd. (SMBC AC), the world’s second-largest aircraft leasing company headquartered in Dublin, considers contributing to its local community—the foundation of its business—as a key corporate responsibility. In partnership with Difference Days, an organization that promotes social impact programs, SMBC AC has taken action. Focusing on the Ballymun area, which faces acute poverty and safety challenges, the company has established a clear goal to “leave no Ballymun school behind” and continues engaging employees in hands-on activities to tackle local challenges.
Revitalizing a Community
Through Hands-On Action,
Guided
by the Ethos
“Doing Is Better Than Talking”
The Difference Days program is a hands-on social impact initiative where employees go into local communities to create tangible, physical change, such as developing parks and renovating facilities. This initiative goes beyond financial donations, as employees spend a full day creating spaces that residents need, and this is at the core of SMBC AC’s social impact activities.
This work is grounded in SMBC AC’s corporate philosophy. David Swan, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer at SMBC AC, who spearheads the initiative, explains its core principle:
“It is our ethos at SMBC AC that ‘doing is better than talking’, and this project is a prime example of that.”
Guided by this philosophy, SMBC AC has completed five school facility regeneration projects in the Ballymun area since partnering with Difference Days in 2019. Building on this success, the company broadened its focus to other neighborhoods across the city, and the sixth project took place in June 2025 at Dolphin House,
a public housing estate in the Dublin 8 district that had been grappling with issues of poverty and building deterioration. The objective was to transform a long-neglected space into a new community hub where children could play safely and residents could interact. The plan would turn the vacant lot into a lush green park—complete with a children’s playground, a mini soccer pitch and a community garden—in just one day. This physical regeneration aimed to deepen residents’ affection for their community and foster new connections.
Collaborative Work Overcomes
Inclement Weather to Create
a New Community Hub
The project at Dolphin House
faced several challenges. The area had such significant safety concerns that a constant police presence was required. Furthermore, the event day began with heavy rain. Despite these conditions, the SMBC AC team proceeded as planned. The CEO donned work clothes and pushed a wheelbarrow, followed by more than 300 employees from 12 global offices, joined by members from shareholders Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corp., working together as a team. Swan recalls, “Precisely because it was pouring, our actions and our commitment to the community felt more sincere and genuine for participants and everyone involved. Our determination to see it through despite difficult circumstances probably strengthened that feeling.”
Aya Kikuta of SMBC’s Aviation and Maritime Strategy Dept., who participated in the 2024 event as a shareholder representative, points out that thorough preparation is behind the project’s great success.
“They value the process of carefully explaining the project’s purpose to local residents beforehand to gain understanding and consent, not just focusing on the day of the event. On site, rigorous safety management was enforced through close collaboration with local authorities, the police, and professional contractors. This allowed participants to focus on their work, enabling a truly meaningful, long-lasting renovation rather than a superficial one.”
It contained heartfelt words: “The team from SMBC AC showed respect to our community. From the outset, they listened carefully and treated every resident with genuine warmth.”
This tangible change, driven by such a sincere attitude and dedicated effort, brought great joy to residents.
This collaborative spirit, transcending nationality and job titles, combined with a deep respect for the community, made it possible to complete the project even under difficult circumstances. By the end of the day, the once-neglected site was transformed into a multifunctional space that brings new vitality and interaction to the area: a playground where children’s cheers echo, a soccer pitch for sports and a community garden where residents can gather.
In response to this initiative, the Dolphin House
Community Development Association sent a letter of appreciation praising SMBC AC’s approach.
Forging Deeper, Lasting
Connections with the Local
Community to
Broaden
the Creation of Social Value
While SMBC AC’s goal to “leave no Ballymun school behind” was achieved in 2025, the company plans to build on this initiative and continue fostering lasting relationships with the local community.
This deep-rooted local activity benefits not only SMBC AC but the entire SMBC Group.
Hirokazu Okado, SMBC’s Aviation and Maritime Strategy Dept., who oversees the management of SMBC AC as a shareholder, envisions the long-term impact as follows:
“SMBC Group is a global company with offices around the world. Deep connections with local communities in each country and acceptance as a good corporate citizen form the foundation for smooth business operations. Furthermore, these activities also foster a sense of pride among local employees and help attract talent. These locally-driven initiatives are significant as they broaden the scope of social value creation for the entire Group.”
Finally, Swan shares about the ripple effect this initiative can create and the future he envisions:
“By showing leadership in this area, others will follow. Our desire is that other companies will take on further projects such as this, and by doing so, we will create a better future for disadvantaged communities. That is our vision.”