The SOMFY Foundation, a partner of the NGO Planète Urgence since 2019, offers another way for Group employees to get involved internationally.

Planète Urgence works through three programmes: preserving endangered forests and biodiversity, promoting local community development and raising environmental awareness.

The SOMFY Foundation wished to reactivate this programme, which was halted due to the COVID crisis, as links with the NGO were maintained during this difficult period thanks to financial sponsorship.

Congés Solidaires, designed and developed by Planète Urgence, is a turnkey programme financed by companies. It offers employees the opportunity to use part of their personal leave to take part in solidarity missions abroad, working alongside local associations to pass on their knowledge in specific fields or to support biodiversity-related initiatives.

In 2023, 2 information webinars were organised, 26 employees took part and three volunteers were selected for their assignments by local associations and Planète Urgence.

Laetitia  
Internal Communications Department             

Mission: Coaching on communication strategy

Cambodge Phnom Penh

Initial motivation: to support local communities in their development

Catherine

SME So-one Department      
Mission: Training on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Togo Lomé

Initial motivations:Teaching and sharing knowledge on the SDGs, full CET

Frank  
Software developer R&D department 

Mission : Formation en Word et Excel

Cameroun à Douala
Initial motivation: To support local communities in their development

Expérience enrichissante Sur le plan personnel,

acquis une meilleure compréhension des inégalités économiques entre les genres,
une prise de conscience accrue de l'impact de la pollution plastique
développé une grande capacité d'adaptabilité
pris conscience de l'importance de gérer efficacement les ressources.

On a professional level

Enabled them to improve their adaptability apply the working methods they have acquired practise and improve their English,
develop teaching skills. Find new motivation by giving meaning to their work at SOMFY.

Benefits for local associations and communities.

Concrete and immediate results.

Free exchange with local residents,

In summary: The intercultural exchanges were profound, highlighting the cultures of each: corporate culture, community culture, local culture and European culture. These assignments gave employees the opportunity to gain international experience of community work, and more than 80% of the work carried out by the volunteers contributed to positive local socio-economic impacts. By contributing their know-how, the volunteers have helped to enrich the resources of local people and associations, thereby complementing the practices and knowledge within these communities.