FAPBM took part in the Salon de la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises et du Développement Durable(Fair of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Initiatives) on October 6 and 7, 2022, in Antananarivo. The Foundation set up an exhibition stand at the fair. The event was marked by the presentation of the progress of the CSR national strategy the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
Actors of sustainable development (NGOs, social businesses, …) and the private sector had the opportunity to exchange thanks to a program rich in diversity: networking, conference, workshops, training. In addition to the plenary sessions, exhibition stands allowed for one-to-one discussions with FAPBM Executives about to opportunities to collaborate through FAPBM in support of both corporate needs and protected areas.
The FAPBM stand, for listening and sharing
The main objective of FAPBM stand was to present the value chains supported in the funded protected areas. This format of participation allowed both to show the human dimension and the role of conservation for the improvement of living conditions and to encourage partnerships for the sale of local products. In addition, the FAPBM team present at the fair carried out an information watch on corporate CSR initiatives. Lastly, through the discussions, FAPBM expressed its wish to direct the CSR investments of companies towards protected areas.
Our advocacy focused on three main areas:
- A synergy of means, which, through co-financing, helps achieve more significant impacts,
- Expertise and monitoring-evaluation by FAPBM in carrying out environmental actions,
- Significant socio-economic impacts through the preservation of ecosystem services.
CSR actions as seen by companies
Nearly 300 people, the vast majority of whom did not know FAPBM, were welcomed at the stand. 200 left their contact information. It is good to note that the CSR ecosystem in Madagascar is gradually taking off. The actions of the companies are translated in many ways on the ground, classified in three categories:
- At the most primary stage, companies focus on their employees, and act for their well-being through social actions or through the improvement of their work environment;
- Some have turned to visible external actions: reforestation and support to schools or orphanages;
- Last, others are considering or have begun to carry out impact actions. The use of relevant experts is a challenge at this stage. Companies in this category are looking for a relevant correlation between CSR actions and their real impacts.
CSR remains above all a matter of responsibility awareness. Faced with the impacts left by its activities on the health of our planet, one has the duty to take mitigation or offset measures.
FAPBM is currently in the exploration phase to propose relevant mechanisms to the private sector and will continue its exchanges with those companies who express their willingness to protect Madagascar natural resources.
