On June 30th, we hosted a panel discussions on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) at our agency. This interactive format allowed us to share experiences and drive change, highlighting local actors already committed to CSR and providing actionable insights for those looking to join the movement. Here’s a recap of our speakers’ adventures!

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STATION IN TRANSITION
Le témoignage de Stéphane Berthaud, responsable Qualité, Sécurité et Environnement à la société de remontées mécaniques en exploitation aux Menuires (Sevabel).

For SEVABEL, it all boils down to one word: DARE. Oser ouvrir la discussion, oser remettre en question ses pratiques, oser faire autrement. Pour protéger un territoire vivant et unique. Pour maintenir une vie harmonieuse entre les habitants et les touristes. Pour continuer à faire rêver aussi, sous un angle plus solidaire et transparent.

For over 10 years, the ‘Société d’Exploitation De La Vallée Des Belleville’ has been engaged in a comprehensive approach. Initially driven by regulatory obligations, SEVABEL has since continued its transition out of conviction. Awareness is almost inevitable at high altitudes,and the work of education has made significant progress.

One of the most emblematic actions: the establishment of a Biodiversity Observatory in 2015.. Entourée de biologistes, la commune a pu procéder au recensement d’espèces Filled by biologists, the municipality has catalogued bird species (like the black grouse) and launched projects to protect them from the impacts of skiing, such as creating green islands and adjusting ski lift construction schedules to respect nesting periods. Worksite managers, educated on animal welfare, have become budding naturalists, changing perspectives.

Since then, it’s been a snowball effect. Implementation of more energy-efficient snow guns, obtaining Green Snowflake Certification, creation of a Friendly Natural Park to educate the youth about local wildlife protection… Just like Stéphane, the resort is brimming with energy to meet this environmental and economic challenge. Next goal: joining the Paris Agreement. As a pioneering and visionary station, Les Menuires will continue to dare!

VALUING PEOPLE
Testimony of Marc Fernandez, CEO of Mobilis, an international expert in protecting and transporting IT tools.

At MOBILIS, CSR is a team effort. The Haute-Savoie company, based in Chavanod, decided to address CSR primarily for its employees, recognising that a flexible and fulfilling work environment is now essential.

Internally, initiatives take place, co-construction is organised, and management sometimes takes a step back to allow for more meaningful and energetic projects. Marc Fernandez’s shared goal is to allow employees to take action, with a dedicated position created within the company.

Beyond enhancing employer branding, CSR now involves all of the company’s actions. The Ecovadis assessment highlighted existing strengths (head office and multiple factories in France, subcontractor audits, gender equality) and provided a progress plan to structure the approach, taking a pragmatic stance.

Upcoming challenges include producing closer-to-consumption sites to reduce carbon footprint and creating a circular economy model for their products. Like the protective cases they manufacture, MOBILIS aims to maintain team-engagement over time with an open, participatory CSR culture

CSR IN THE DNA
Testimony of Frédérique Tissot, Communications Manager at UGITECH, a world leader in stainless steel long products.

At UGITECH, CSR has deep roots.. Quand il fonde l’entreprise en 1908, Paul Girod a besoin d’une forte main-d’œuvre et souhaite donc établir une communauté de travail solidaire, à l’échelle de la ville. À proximité immédiate de ses forges, il construit de nombreuses habitations et toute une série d’équipements collectifs : école, restaurant, laverie, salle des fêtes… En veillant (déjà à l’époque !) à protéger la rivière de l’Arly. C’est donc sur ce When Paul Girod founded the company in 1908, he needed a strong workforce and wanted to build a supportive community.
Near his forges, he constructed numerous houses and a series of communal facilities: a school, restaurant, laundry, event hall, and even took measures to protect the Arly River. This paternalistic foundation built the CSR pillars of UGITECH.

114 years later, the stakes have evolved. The company is a global market leader with over 3,000 clients and 2,000 employees worldwide (1,200 in the original town). Yet, the drive to innovate and positively contribute to the region remains.

Frédérique presented two ambitious, current projects : UGI’RING and CHALEUR FATALE.

• UGI’RING :Launched in 2021 for a 10-year period, this state-supported project aims to create the world’s first “circular steel mill” by re-melting waste into alloys, reducing primary site supplies in Ugine by over 90%. This competitive advantage aligns with the client demands for more recyclability transparency.
  
  
• CHALEUR FATALE: A cooperative project with the city, it recovers industrial ‘lost’ heat (from hot furnace gases) to inject into the urban network, converting it mainly into hot water. This initiative supplies the city’s heating system with over 95% renewable energy, reinforcing the strong ties between the two entities.

THE SOLIDARITY KITCHEN
Testimony of Héloïse de Bokay, Shared Governance and Community Manager at Les Petites Cantines d’Annecy, a non-profit network of neighbourhood canteens for sustainable meals.

Food as a catalyst for connections and exchanges. Les Petites Cantines aims to combat urban loneliness. Originating in Lyon and now nationwide, it offers open kitchens to (re)create bonds amongst neighbourhood residents. Héloïse shared the purpose of the Annecy branch launched post-Covid. launched post-Covid.

Unique in its approach, Les Petites Cantines collects and sorts unsold food from local organic stores like Biofrais.Volunteers prepare meals together and share the fruits of their labour. The price is voluntary, and the team strives for one meat menu per week to promote healthy, accessible, vegetarian alternatives.

Unique in its audience, it blends all age groups and socio-professional categories. This melting pot erases the helper/helpee divide. Around the table, members share more than just a meal, but illuminating culinary cultures and a spreading of knowledge. They learn to perpetuate iconic French recipes and experiment with dishes from other regions.

Witnessing “magical moments”, Héloïse actively works to raise the visibility of Les Petites Cantines in Annecy through various means: creating cultural offers to keep the venue lively in the evening and promoting privatisation offers to local businesses… Stay tuned!

*Located at 13 Av. Germain Perreard, Cran Gevrier.

THE VOICE OF RESILIENCE
Testimony of Jeane Clesse, independent podcaster and trainer, dedicated to a benevolent transition.

Creator of the Basilic Podcast, Jeane, now based in Annecy, brought her expert perspective to our panel. For this lover of positive initiatives, CSR is not a new topic,but becoming increasingly significant across all sectors. More than ever, employees are questioning and challenging the old model.

Many listeners express their struggle to find meaning in their current jobs and share their desire to work in value-aligned organisations.

No taboo in defining oneself during a professional quest, “People dare to talk about it,”says Jeane. In this fight for a more virtuous work environment, new generations are at the forefront. It’s not uncommon for graduates to limit their job searches to B-Corp certified companies for example.

For Jeane, forced transitions are always accompanied by awareness and a desire to go further. For companies, embracing social responsibility is a powerful transformation accelerator.

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Thank you to our wonderful speakers for the positive momentum they generated through their authentic testimonies. Although it’s not always easy, and we often wish we could do better, CSR is a continuous exploration formed by great encounters.