Since 2008, Solidarity Week has grown within AccorHotels properties and headquarters around the world. Each year, during the second week of December, it encourages employees to participate in charity initiatives, providing a practical response to the needs expressed by local organizations.
Helping to combat the economic and social exclusion of the most disadvantaged people was the rationale behind the creation of the endowment fund Solidarity AccorHotels. Over the past 10 years, more than 300 projects have been supported in 45 countries to help 172,800 direct beneficiaries, with the aid of 20,000 AccorHotels employees directly involved, in projects to help the most vulnerable.
Impact study: 10 years of continued support, close ties and human connections
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Solidarity AccorHotels measured the results of its activities. Conducted by consultancy firm Kimso, the assessment helped analyze the initiatives undertaken over the past ten years and understand their effects.
The study confirmed the scope of the fund’s activities, the type of projects supported and the nature of its support. As such, 70% of the projects provided some form of support in relation to professional integration.
The beneficiaries of the organizations supported are predominantly disadvantaged people (living below the poverty line for 80% of the organizations), who are often young, unemployed and stigmatized. The study also highlighted the standout feature of Solidarity AccorHotels’ efforts, namely a commitment that goes beyond just financial support and incorporates the human connection, both at a local level and over the long-term. Moreover, most heads of organizations cite the involvement of employee volunteers as one of the main strengths of their partnership.
Ten years of commitment on the ground
The Group created its Accor Corporate Foundation in 2008 to promote the training and professional integration of the most disadvantaged.
“In 2007, an internal study focusing on initiatives carried out around the world showed that professional integration played a prominent role. Through the range of occupations in the hospitality industry, our hotel teams are accustomed to passing on their expertise to people starting their professional careers. Addressing the issue of social and economic exclusion through training and professional integration was the obvious way forward. We felt we could make a difference,” said Christine de Longevialle, Managing Director of Solidarity AccorHotels.
In 2013, the legal structure of the foundation changed to become the Solidarity AccorHotels Endowment. This change specifically enabled Solidarity AccorHotels to raise funds from a wider range of stakeholders and mobilize more employees and guests in support of even more projects and beneficiaries.
For more information, please click here to learn more about 10 years of Solidarity AccorHotels.
