On the occasion of the launch of the European Year of Volunteering, IMS is organizing Trophies aimed at rewarding companies, both small and large, that involve their employees in projects to support the professional guidance and integration of the most disadvantaged.
Sponsorship of people in integration, training for people with disabilities, presenting professions to young middle and high school students from underprivileged areas…
These Trophies will distinguish the most innovative companies that, beyond the traditional forms of sponsorship, mobilize their employees in projects of general interest aimed at contributing, from the school environment, to the career development of young people and, throughout their active life, to facilitate access to employment for those in difficulty (unemployed, people with disabilities, migrant workers, seniors…).
Four trophies will be awarded at the final organized in early March 2011: SME Trophy, Large Company, Pioneer, and Hope. Each company can apply in several categories, depending on the action programs it wishes to promote.
In a context of crisis where Society has increasing expectations of the economic world, employee mobilization programs around solidarity actions are growing. According to the Benchmark Foundations conducted by IMS in 2009*, 62% of the companies surveyed offer sponsorship and/or skills volunteering to their employees.
These actions often serve as a lever for the company to support employment. By sharing their experiences and professions, training, and sponsorship, employees can indeed help those marginalized from employment to acquire and develop the skills that will facilitate their integration into the job market. Not to mention that these approaches create social ties that give more meaning to work, while providing a real stepping stone for employees, who develop transferable skills in the business field.
Note: These Trophies constitute the national stage of the “European Volunteering Awards,” organized simultaneously in 22 European countries and coordinated by Business in the Community, a corporate network dedicated to corporate social responsibility in the UK. The best French initiatives will then be presented before a European jury and awarded at an international ceremony in London.
The application file as well as all the necessary information is available at [www.mecenova.org](https://www.mecenova.org).
The IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité network consists of about thirty companies in the PACA region, of all sizes and sectors, supporting them in their societal engagement processes.
The IMS PACA branch was founded in 2007 thanks to the mobilization of local leaders, who also knew IMS at the national level.
IMS PACA has 3 staff members and a founders’ committee, represented by the leaders of Koné, the Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur, Convers Télémarketing, Adecco, GDF Suez, and Malongo.
Gérald Roux, CEO Koné France
Philippe de Gibon, CEO Convers Télémarketing
Fabrice Muro, Sector Director Adecco
Eric Saltiel, Executive Board Member in charge of resources, Caisse d’Epargne
Jacques Stasia, Mediterranean Director GDF SUEZ
Jean-Pierre Blanc, CEO MALONGO
The IMS PACA branch extends the national action through four means of intervention:
Exchange and sharing of intercompany experiences on societal engagement. The branch organizes throughout the year workgroups and inter-company meetings allowing exchange of tools and best practices in terms of:
– Diversity and fight against discrimination: professional equality between men and women, disability, seniors, visible minorities, residents of neighborhoods…
– Sponsorship and solidarity partnerships
– Access to employment: diversification of recruitment sources, job and sector discovery cycles, establishment of sponsorship networks, compliance with regulatory obligations on employment – public markets, work-study programs
More generally, it promotes the implementation of concrete actions related to societal issues specific to the PACA Region
Supporting companies in building their approach and implementing operational programs. The IMS PACA branch assists member companies in developing their societal approaches, transforming their commitment into defined strategy then into operational projects. The branch supports the implementation of inter-company actions on the territory and the definition of field partnerships.
Trainings
The IMS PACA branch supports the teams of member companies through training and awareness actions about Corporate Social Responsibility. The branch offers training modules on Corporate Societal Engagement, on sponsorship and solidarity partnerships, and on diversity management and the fight against discrimination.
Valorization
The IMS PACA branch contributes to the reflection on the societal issues of the territory and promotes, both locally and nationally, the most interesting initiatives conducted close to the field. It provides its member companies with its communication tools: press review, newsletters, press relations, publications… The Mecenova trophies are part of these actions showcasing the best practices of companies conducted in the field.
Elisabeth Fuchs is the head of the Paca Branch
IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité
[www.imsentreprendre.com](https://www.imsentreprendre.com)
