“An NGO in the spotlight” meeting with Camille FOURRE, Head of Strategy France Acted

3 things to know about Camille

• Camille has wanted to work in the humanitarian field ever since she was 6 years old. To bring this humanitarian dimension to life, during her studies at Sciences Po Lyon, Camille took an establishment diploma on sub-Saharan Africa. At the time, she was also a member of the "Yalkabeye" association (which means "there's no problem") and travelled to Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire to carry out a study trip on the link between peace and development in two countries with very different histories.
• Camille joined Acted at the end of her studies in 2017, thinking she'd only be there a few months, and she's now been working there for 6 years. Highly committed, she deeply enjoys her work and being surrounded by inspiring people working on a variety of projects. What she enjoys most is following very different projects in multiple contexts on the field, and interacting with a wide variety of actors.
• On a personal level, she loves to learn constantly, and is passionate about drama and hiking.

A few words about the association's values and corporate purpose

Acted was founded in 1993 in Afghanistan by Marie-Pierre Caley and Frédéric Roussel. To combat the famine that was rampant at the time, Frédéric Roussel transported sacks of coal and flour to fuel bread ovens and then give food to the population. This was Acted's first program, called "black and white".

Today, Acted develops and implements programs for the most vulnerable people around the world

Acted's history is very important because it explains its current identity, its DNA and its core values, which are :

• Acting at the last mile of humanitarian aid: Created on the field, Acted is committed to supporting the most vulnerable populations "at the last mile of humanitarian aid", where people have the greatest needs and where no one else goes.
• Think local, act global: Acted has a real local knowledge. This enables Acted to act very quickly in the event of a crisis, and to develop projects in line with local needs over the long term.
• The Humanitarian Nexus: the link between emergency and development. While Acted intervenes in emergencies, it is also important for the NGO to carry out parallel recovery and reconstruction activities that are part of a development logic. Working on development today enables Acted to anticipate future crises and emergencies.
• The 3 Zero strategy: Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, Zero Poverty. In Acted's view, it is essential to fight against poverty, for the inclusion of people and at the same time to work for a more sustainable world. These battles are linked and can only be won together.

Did you know it ?

Acted means :

• 550 programs a year
• 20 million direct beneficiaries
• 42 countries, including 15 in common with SOMFY Group subsidiaries
• 8,000 local employees

Acted's actions are supported by the United Nations, the European Union (major international donors), French local authorities and private players.

Some actions carried out by the association

Acted focuses its international activities on several programs:

• Water, hygiene, sanitation, waste management: rehabilitation of water points, distribution of hygiene and dignity kits, construction of septic tanks, waste treatment.
• Food insecurity and agriculture: distribution of food supplements and food kits, strengthening farmers' means of production
• Governance and sustainable development: targeted training in self-management and income-generating activities
• Presence in refugees camps: camp management, fight against violence, access to information
• Protecting and promoting the rights of women and children who are victims of violence, education and empowerment of women

2023 major project

There are so many inspiring projects, it's hard to choose just one.

There are 3 types of projects to consider:

Emergency aid projects: needs assessment, distribution of hygiene and food kits, psychological support, capacity-building for local authorities. As it has already been the case in Ukraine, Turkey, Syria and Sudan.

Long term projects :

• In Lebanon, Acted supports 4 sanitary protection factories that produce affordable protection for women while providing work for 450 women. These factories run on solar energy. A fine example of a project that fits in with Acted's 3 ZERO strategy.
• In Niger, Acted has built a bioclimatic, inclusive school for 50% of scholarship students, both girls and boys, using materials that make it ecologically independent.

Training projects:

• Acted runs a number of environmentally-friendly agriculture projects (Kenya, Uganda).
• Acted also has a green tourism project (Tajikistan)

One sentence to describe the NGO's relationship with SOMFY

“The only path that offers any hope of a better future for all humanity is that of cooperation and partnership" Kofi Anan - UN Director General - Speech to the UN General Assembly - September 24, 2001”

For Camille, this makes a direct link and sense with our cooperation. We share the hope of helping others, and together we can go further. Together, we can take concrete action to improve the lives of others.

"Our relationship is both professional and human, based on respect, trust and regular exchanges. These are the ingredients of a successful partnership."

Camille wishes to conclude the interview with these words:

"Unfortunately, there are more and more needs as the ecological crisis leads to more and more disasters and needs. It can be discouraging, but I think that even if an action seems derisory in the face of the immensity of the needs, we have to keep in mind that even if it's just one person helped, it can change that same person's life, and that's priceless.

This is important. So we must continue to keep hope alive, and this hope is supported by all the partnerships that enable us to carry out inspiring projects. It is together that we are strongest, and through the diversity of our players that we can move towards a fairer, more ecological world.

It was therefore with great joy and gratitude that I saw the first seeds of this partnership with SOMFY being planted, and I hope that many projects will blossom from it. Thank you to SOMFY Group for your commitment and trust."