France/GARD. A successful meeting between foundations and associations in Gard

The tenth Foundations Meeting, organised at the end of November by the Maison des initiatives économiques sociales et solidaires du Gard (MIESS 30) in partnership with the Département du Gard, was a success.

Nearly 80 project leaders met at the Espace Diderot (Nîmes) to discuss with seven foundations: the Orange, MAIF, Harmonie Solidarités, Banque Populaire du Sud and Vinci pour la Cité foundations, as well as the Nîmes Mécénat Culturel and NaïaGaïa endowment funds.

A unique opportunity to present their projects and to learn more about existing support mechanisms (call for projects, skills sponsorship, competitions, etc.) and perhaps land a partnership!

For Françoise Laurent-Perrigot, President of the Gard Departmental Council, and Hélène Meunier, Vice-President in charge of public reading and the social and solidarity economy, "The social and solidarity economy defends alternative models of entrepreneurship, consumption and production. It strives, on a daily basis, to place the human being and the relationships of well-being between people at the heart of economic activity. It promotes ethical management values and a democratic and participatory mode of governance, principles fully shared by the Conseil départemental. Our community is actively participating in the SSE month through meetings and debates, to highlight this innovative economy. The SSE, which is more virtuous and respectful of people and their environment, contributes to building a good life in our department. The Departmental Council aims to play a major role in this."

Since 2015, nearly 25 foundations and more than 100 project leaders have played the speed-meeting game. This networking is essential and has led to some great achievements: in 2020, the Solidarité Paysans 30 association signed a 3-year partnership with the Fondation de France, and the Action 9 association received a €2,000 grant from the Fondation Banque Populaire du Sud to develop computer literacy workshops for seniors in the Chemin Bas d'Avignon district of Nîmes. The next Foundation Meeting will take place in spring 2022 (date to be confirmed).

Source: www.objectifgard.com