2012 Activity and sustainable development report - RTE

INVOLVING STAKEHOLDERSBeyond the fi nancial support it offers, the RTE Foundation also offers support ona local level to those responsible for projects through the involvement of RTEemployees who serve as sponsors. On a voluntary basis, they undertake to supporta project in their regions over the long term. This approach has proved successful:for the second year running, the rate of sponsoring is around 90%. After fi ve years of existence, the RTEFoundation now wants take the sponsor system further and establish still more innovative pathwaysbetween the structures it supports and the company itself.Personal accountsRTE employees atthe heart of projectsHERVÉ EGGERRTE South-West, sponsorof Dispo-ServicesSocial integration workshopsallow people in need to returnto employment and help themconstruct their own personalprojects. The reconstruction of drystone walls, for instance, requiresa great deal of patience and perseverance.But the result can be seen andrecognised by everyone, which is veryrewarding. Beyond the skills and know-howthat the participants acquire, they areaware of taking part in a lasting wayin the rehabilitation of a small pieceof history. The energy and enthusiasmyou see throughout this organisationhelp to give these people fresh impetus.Through my visits to the site and thecontacts I have had, I have been ableto appreciate the dimensions of theproject on a human level and in termsof preserving our heritage, and I haveseen the vital role that Dispo-Serviceshas played in making a success of theproject in a rural setting. By volunteeringto be a sponsor on behalf of theFoundation, I will follow the developmentof the project with interest.CHRISTINE LOMBARDRTE North-East, sponsorof Somme NatureWe met the directorof Somme Nature in thefirst half of 2011. Duringa series of discussions,we raised the subject of the RTEFoundation with him. In northeasternFrance, no project had been putforward for the Somme department,although there is so much that needsto be done in this region. With LesChemins de l’Espoir, things are startingto move. By creating these workopportunity workshops, SommeNature is also helping to protect theenvironment and is playing a partin local and social developmentby putting people at the very heartof the action.70