APC 2012 Annual Report Download - page 87

2012 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 85
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZEN
worldwide that will help the poorest populations obtain access to
energy. It will invest in specifi c projects:
•help jobless individuals create businesses in electricity;
•promote the development of businesses that provide access to
energy in rural or suburban areas in developing countries;
•support the deployment of innovative energy access solutions
that use renewable energies for people at the Base of the
Pyramid.
The SEEA fund brings together different stakeholders by encouraging
Schneider Electric’s employees and business partners around the
world to play an active role in this commitment. This socially welfare
investment structure, designed by Schneider Electric to promote
responsible development, constitutes a response to the new
French legislation on employee savings plans. On December31,
2012, 2,666Group employees in France showed their interest in
the BipBop program by investing EUR4.65million (see page 80 ).
The aim of the SEEA fund is to promote development while
protecting the assets under management. Accordingly, it has
adopted strict management rules, such as:
•always invest in partnerships with recognized players;
•never take a majority shareholding;
•always ensure sustained company support (help develop a
business plan, technical advice, etc.) to deliver the optimum
social effi cacy while minimizing risk.
>SEEA FUND INVESTMENT POLICY
France
projects projects
International
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Geographical
targets
Methodological
rules
Investment type
Action plans
Investments in France
La Foncière Chê nele t is a Chê nele t Group employment opportunity
company formed to counter energy precariousness by creating
energy-effi cient social housing. Moreover, construction sites bring
together employment opportunity companies and conventional
fi rms to promote rehiring of the unemployed.
SIDI (International Solidarity for Development and Investment) is an
investment fund that assigns priority to the impact on development
rather than return. The fund is an important partner of SEEA and is
particularly active in the microfi nance sector.
LVD Energie (formerly Solasyst) is a company of “La Varappe”
employment opportunity group based in Aubagne, France. The
company specializes in renewable energy solutions and has
developed specifi c skills in integrated solar panel installation. Backed
by SEEA’s investment, Solasyst will open two new branches in the
south of France.
Partnership with the ADIE
Schneider Electric set up a project two years ago in partnership
with the Association pour le Droit à l’Initiative Économique (ADIE)
to help entrepreneurs start electricity-related businesses. The goal
is three-fold:
•help individuals who have in some cases been out of the
workforce for several years create their own jobs in a promising
industry;
•contribute to the local economy;
•promote the electrical profession.
The project targets entrepreneurs who do not have access to
bank loans, notably the unemployed and low-income individuals.
Schneider Electric and Schneider Initiatives Entrepreneurs , an
association that nurtures spin-offs, fi nance part of the microloans
granted to electrical businesses through ADIE. Schneider Electric’s
French sales division has also created a pact with dedicated
technical training resources combined with support from a local
sales representative to help these entrepreneurs.