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Local and social
economy projects (known as “PELS” from the French projets d’économie
locale et sociale) represent a unique solidarity scheme in the world
of banking, made
possible by the French Act dated June 29, 1999
governing savings and financial security.
Through these PELS, the French
savings banks allocate a proportion of their profits every year to
projects aimed at local or social development, new job creation,
town & country planning, etc. This support can come in the form
of grants, interest-free loans, contributions in resources &
skills, or in the form of capital contributions.
This support
allows the Caisses d'Epargne to confirm their determination to put
their economic performance at the service of the general public
interest.
Three key action
areas, selection at a local
level
The focus for
PELS support is defined every year by the Fédération Nationale des
Caisses d’Epargne. This support covers three key areas: promoting
autonomy, supporting new job creation, and reinforcing social
ties.
The directors of local savings companies are
closely involved in the process of identifying and selecting the
different projects. This allows them to contribute their personal
knowledge of the region and their understanding of its particular
needs. |
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Launched in April 2006, écureuil &
solidarité is our new brand name for communicating on local and
social economy projects (PELS). The new brand gives better
visibility to the Caisses d’Epargne's commitment to PELS both
nationally and locally.
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| It is the duty of a socially responsible company to
demonstrate its commitment to society and to do so – perhaps, above all –
in its core business activity. The Caisse d’Epargne consequently launched
an original banking support program in 2006 known as Parcours Confiance.
The aim of this scheme is to assist private individuals or
micro-enterprises finding themselves in a precarious financial situation
with customized banking support – a micro loan, if necessary – but also
educational and social support designed to help them to put themselves
back on a sound financial footing. At present, 13 individual Caisses
d'Epargne pursue these activities throughout all of France.
2007: a year of sustained PELS growth
In 2007, the Caisses d’Epargne devoted a
total of €55.7m to PELS, enabling them to support 2,948 projects all over
France. Compared with 2006, the total funding envelope granted to PELS
grew by more than 3% and the number of projects benefiting from this
financial support rose by 8.4%. The funding envelope is divided between
three main areas of activity:
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The autonomy of vulnerable members of society (46% of
the budget): the elderly, infirm or disabled,
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Activities in favor of new job creation (39%): support
for new business creation,
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The strengthening of social ties between individuals
(15%): projects aimed at promoting social integration through culture
and sport.
PELS
within the framework of the Bénéfices Futur
program
First launched in 2007 by Groupe
Caisse d’Epargne, the Bénéfices
Futur program puts the Group's sustainable
development policy at the very heart of its banking activities.One of the
four major initiatives included in this program concerns the modernization
of the Group's role as a bank committed to social solidarity.This
initiative is based on three priorities:
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Devote 1% of the net banking income generated each year
by the Caisses d'Epargne to social solidarity,
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Promote the environment as a vector for the
strengthening of social ties: the aim is to complete 1,000 PELS in favor
of the environment between June 2007 and the end of 2009,
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Reinforce micro-credit solutions, notably through
actions pursued within the framework of the Parcours Confiance program:
distribute a total of 10,000 micro-loans by the end of
2009. |
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Print (Landscape Format)
Local and Social Economy Projects
