2012 Activity and sustainable development report - RTE

JOINT SUCCESSINVOLVING STAKEHOLDERSPromoting mutual support in rural areas and helping to meet communityneeds and foster level development: these were the objectives that RTE setitself in 2008 when it created the first foundation of its type in France. It hasbeen a consistent way of bringing the company’s values to life.ViewpointA foundation thatpromotes a caringrural societyROBERT SAVYMEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE RTE FOUNDATION,HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE LIMOUSIN REGIONAL COUNCILAND MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF STATEHow do you look on the firstyears of the Foundation?In a very positive way. TheFoundation has succeededin defi ning its objective, whichis one to which I completely subscribe:“Contributing to the caring andbalanced development of the regions”.As someone who has represented theLimousin region in politics for manyyears, I am very concerned by thegrowth in competition betweenregions, which weakens the mostfragile ones and increases inequalities.I appreciate the fact that a networkbasedcompany like RTE, where thevalues of public service are very muchalive, is mindful of the need to preservesocial and territorial cohesion inour country. In this spirit, I am alsoimpressed by the commitment of manyRTE employees to support projectsbacked by the Foundation as “sponsors”.It’s yet another advantage for the projects,and a way for the company to appreciateconcretely the reality of its actionson the ground.How do you see the developmentof the Foundation?Remaining faithful to a few principlesthat these fi rst few years have allowedto emerge. In the fi rst place, anintegrated and sustainable conceptof development. Different regionsare different and call for very diverseprojects, but it’s always desirable toincorporate economic, social, culturaland environmental dimensions.Then, a desire to promote innovation.The Foundation doesn’t exist to supportthe same initiatives in different places,but to promote the invention ofprojects adapted to each region. I alsothink it should favour support forintangible investments. And it seems tome that, in the medium term, it willhave to evaluate the results of itsearliest actions so that, if necessary, itcan adapt its aims and its methods.47new projects.€746,730attributed in 2012.€4.7 mattributed since 2008.380jobs created, of which 291on back-to-work programmes.100%with a positive impacton the environment.RTE | IN LINE WITH THE FUTURE69