Canadian ICMIF member Beneva, along with SSQ and La Capitale mutuals, has announced a pledge of a yearly amount of CAD 300,000 for 2023 and 2024 to SOCODEVI. In addition to supporting SOCODEVI’s mission, which is to concretely and sustainably improve living conditions in developing nations, Beneva says its aim is for this money to serve to promote the cooperative and mutualist movement all over the world.
“Beneva firmly believes in the cooperative and mutualism model of business and this latest pledge simply confirms how important it is in the development of emerging nations,” said Jean-François Chalifoux, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beneva. “Our company and its mutuals have supported SOCODEVI for over 30 years and today, we are ramping up our support. SOCODEVI is a major player in international development and together, we seek to generate actual, positive returns for these communities.”
“This major, even historic, support from one of our member institutions could not have come at a better time for SOCODEVI. Our organisation’s operations have steadily grown over the last few years and now more than ever, our efforts to consolidate the drivers of sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development are bearing fruit all over the world, for the benefit of tens of thousands of families. The values we share with our members serve as the foundation of our commitment to support families in Africa especially,” said Jean-Philippe Marcoux, SOCODEVI Executive Director.
A triple-crown partnership
By further expanding its commitment to this partnership, Beneva says it is promoting a socioeconomic system that brings material prosperity, well-being and a sound environment to those who need it. It breaks down into three parts.
The goal of the programmes in Africa is to improve the living conditions, health and rights of thousands of women and children. The amount donated by Beneva will contribute to their financial autonomy and literacy, give them access to farming and health insurance and allow them to boost production as well as better market their farming products.
The goal of the Nourrir la fierté awareness campaign is to promote SOCODEVI’s mission to Beneva employees and encourage them to get involved. This will translate into providing expertise based on each community’s needs either through on-site deployment or remote intervention.
Beneva will also support SOCODEVI’s financing activities and events. As a member, Beneva will contribute to the Tree of Intercooperation, SOCODEVI’s annual carbon-neutrality initiative.
About SOCODEVI
The Société de coopération pour le développement international (SOCODEVI), whose head office is located in Quebec City, contributes to improving the living conditions of communities in developing nations by helping to create and strengthen sustainable and inclusive cooperative and mutual enterprises. It oversees Quebec’s network of cooperatives, which shares its expertise and know-how with its partners in developing nations in order to create, protect and redistribute wealth in a fair and responsible way.
