Contributing to a more inclusive society
A year of commitments2021 a year of commitments
Greater commitment to young people
BNP PARIBAS’ LONG‑TERM COMMITMENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE HAS BEEN BOLSTERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE HEALTH CRISIS THAT STRONGLY AFFECTED THEM. IN 2021, THE GROUP FURTHERED ITS SUPPORT IN THIS AREA IN FRANCE.
PROVIDING SUPPORT AGAINST INSECURITY
In response to the consequences of the health crisis, the BNP Paribas Foundation launched the Plan Solidarité Jeunesse (Youth Solidarity Plan) in 2021. This initiative addresses three priorities: educational continuity, insecurity and psychological and physical distress. It supported 14 organisations that work with young people aged 4 to 30 to provide support, including academic help and mentorship.
CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS IN FRANCE
In 2021, Commercial & Personal Banking in France allocated a budget of €20m that was renewed in 2022 to provide scholarship students with access to loans without the need for a guarantor so that they could pursue higher education studies with optimal conditions. This initiative, carried out in cooperation with the association Article 1, and those linked to L’Ascenseur, benefited 1,200 students in 2021.
Similarly, BNP Paribas supported 1,000 students, in partnership with the start‑up Garantme, to guarantee their access to housing.
REDUCING INEQUALITIES
Lastly, as part of the Projet Banlieues (Suburbs Project) active since 2005, more than 900 associations have received support from a total budget of €26m allocated towards fighting exclusion in priority urban areas.
Initiated by the BNP Paribas Foundation and Commercial & Personal Banking in France, this programme invites our employees to share their civic values and solidarity in support of vulnerable populations and make change possible.
€367m
The Group’s total amount of financing and investments in microfinance in 2021.
Thanks to its support for microfinance institutions (MFIs), the Group indirectly contributed to the financing of 224,555 customers, 89% of whom were women and 71% of whom were located in rural areas. In total, partner MFIs created 1,337,826 jobs for micro‑borrowers and dedicated 37,532,574 hours to financial education, entrepreneurship support and individual mentorship. BNP Paribas employees provided 15,168 hours of pro bono work with European microfinance partners (Adie, microStart, Microlux and Permicro).
Solidarity for Ukraine
April 2022
Since the beginning of the military intervention in Ukraine, BNP Paribas and its employees have mobilised to help the Ukrainian population, in particular through:
- A system for welcoming employees and their families, aiming to provide them with transportation and accommodation (hotels, training campuses) in neighbouring countries;
- A psychological support helpline open to Ukrainian employees and their families;
- Multiple initiatives and volunteer actions from our employees: basic necessities, reception, transportation and accommodation for refugees, etc.;
- Support for humanitarian associations with an initial donation of €10m at the end of February for the benefit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and of several NGOs, followed by a second donation of €3m at the beginning of April, in favour of support systems for employees in Poland and associations helping refugees in Ukraine, Poland and France;
- Activation of the BNP Paribas Foundation’s Rescue & Recover Fund, which raised €3.5m, thanks to donations from employees, customers and retirees (half of which were matched by the Group);
- Business continuity and banking operations facilitation: supply to ATMs, removal of transfer fees, increase of card limits, simplified account openings for refugees.