5.2.2Contributing to local development
In every host country, Edenred forges strong ties with local communities and non-profit organizations to assist people in difficult circumstances.
Edenred employees are the driving force behind these initiatives, which take the form of donations, skills support and social welfare programs, often deployed in association with corporate clients, partner merchants, employee users and other stakeholders.
The focus is on long-term partnerships with the supported organizations. Chosen on the basis of each subsidiary’s local situation, the projects cover a wide range of areas, including food aid through collections and voucher donations, support for education and professional integration.
5.2.2.1 Social and economic contribution
Global outreach initiatives
Idealday, a day of action to support local communities
For many years, Edenred has organized international awareness days concerning each commitment of its CSR approach for its employees, corporate clients, partner merchants and employee users.
To heighten the impact of these initiatives, the Group decided in 2017 to organize a dedicated day of action to support local communities. The idea is to give them the most valuable asset employees have – their time.
On June 25, 2021, over 3,000 Group employees in 46 countries worldwide participated in the day of action through more than 104 different initiatives related to Edenred’s three pillars (People, Planet and Progress). A total of 126 associations received support.
Edenraid, the connected solidarity challenge
Edenred has been organizing the Edenraid sports challenge since 2017. The 2021 edition provided support for the NGO Médecins Sans Frontières. Over the course of two months, employees took part in the connected challenge to support the organization in its actions in response to the pandemic around the world.
Between September 15 and November 14, 2021, more than 3,500 Edenred employees covered a total of 1 million kilometers by running, walking or biking. Taking part was simple: users could register using the online platform and their physical activity was tracked when they logged on using their smartphone or connected watch.
Their performance enabled the Group to donate €40,000 to Médecins Sans Frontières to finance specific programs fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in Edenred’s host countries.
2021 key figures
Edenred commits to many community outreach initiatives being led by employees throughout the year in partnership with local non-profit organizations. In all, 175 non-profits in host countries around the world were supported in 2021, with 1,519 eight-hour days devoted to volunteering activities.
Together, these totaled €2,915,363 in donated funds in 2021.
