A global context under stress

The rise of inequalities on a global scale, repeated humanitarian crises, the acceleration of climate change: these are all interconnected challenges that primarily affect the most vulnerable populations.

According to theONU more than 700 million people are still living in extreme poverty in 2023, and millions of children are deprived of essential education or health care.

At the same time, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define a common roadmap for a more just and sustainable future by 2030.

Faced with these challenges, more and more companies are choosing to extend their social responsibility beyond their borders. In 2024, 64% of large French companies declared that they integrated the SDGs into their CSR strategy (UN Global Compact France network). Because today, contributing to a more equitable world is no longer an option, it is a duty!

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International solidarity: what are we talking about?

International solidarity includes actions to sustainably improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations, often in developing countries. It aims to fight inequalities and defend fundamental human rights all over the world. International solidarity also includes emergency aid, which intervenes in immediate crisis situations such as natural disasters, conflicts, etc.

International solidarity includes all actions taken to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations around the world. It pursues a common objective: to fight against global inequalities and to defend fundamental human rights, everywhere, without distinction of borders.

There are generally two main types of intervention:

• Development aid, which acts on the longterm, by supporting sustainable projects in the fields of health, education, access to water, agriculture, etc. It aims to strengthen local capacities and promote the autonomy of populations.
• Emergency aid (or humanitarian aid), which intervenes in reaction to immediate crises : natural disasters, armed conflicts, epidemics, forced displacements... It meets vital needs in an emergency. In recent years, we can cite examples such as the earthquakes in Turkey, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, or the extremely precarious situations in Mayotte.

The major challenges of international solidarity are multiple and are based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN.

Among these major themes, we find, for example, access to health or the fight against poverty.

All these challenges are deeply linked to local realities: political instability, poverty, migration, the impact of climate change...

But be careful: even though international solidarity is essential to fight global inequalities, it must be done in a responsible manner. Sometimes, some poorly prepared or poorly adapted actions can have negative effects on local populations.

For them to be truly beneficial, it is important to think carefully about your international solidarity actions by taking into account all their impacts on the populations concerned, both in the short and long term.

Poorly prepared or too remote from local realities, certain actions can sometimes create effects that are the opposite of those sought. It is therefore necessary to work closely with the actors on site. The objective is to avoid certain excesses, such as “white saviorism” or “humanitarian tourism”, which can harm more than help.

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Act internationally by engaging your employees

Engaging internationally allows companies to actively contribute to the SDGs and broaden their fields of action.

6 causes with an international dimension

Engaging internationally means contributing to meeting fundamental human and ecological challenges.

We present six causes around which NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) act on a daily basis. These structures differ from traditional non-profit associations by their actions, which are often broader in scope and have an international focus.

1. Education

Education is a fundamental right, and yet 250 million children in the world are still without school in 2024 (Unesco) or drop out of school very early. Lack of infrastructure, gender inequalities, poverty or conflicts prevent access to quality education.

The aim is to guarantee access for all to equitable, free and quality education throughout life, in particular by avoiding gender and income inequalities in terms of education.

It is a fact: without education, there is no emancipation, no equal opportunities, and few prospects for future generations. Everyone should have a chance to succeed!

Some examples of NGOs working for education and literacy around the world:

• Libraries Without Borders is fighting to empower vulnerable populations by facilitating their access to education, information and culture.
• The association 1000 & 1 Enfants du Monde accompanies children from disadvantaged neighborhoods and villages in Haiti and Benin in order to allow them to have better nutrition as well as access to education, good hygiene, health care and leisure.
• World schools aims to improve living conditions in remote rural areas in Madagascar, by giving priority to access to education.

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2. Access to health

In many parts of the world, access to care remains extremely limited. In 2021, more than 3.6 billion people did not have access to essential health services according to theOMS. Lack of medical structures, shortage of trained personnel, absence of medicines... health systems are often flawed or non-existent.

Local and international associations are working to fight epidemics, strengthen health care systems and ensure equitable access to prevention and treatment. The challenge is also to improve reproductive, maternal and child health, by reducing the main communicable, non-communicable, environmental and mental diseases.

This cause is often linked to emergency situations caused by sudden crises or extreme poverty.

Among the NGOs working for access to health internationally:

• Handicap International works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations and intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters.
• Paediatricians of the world helps to sustainably improve children's health in the various countries where it operates.
• Global Health Action acts to end the three main diseases linked to poverty: HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis around the world.

Also to read: Health at work: the importance of QVCT

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3. Equality between women and men in the world

In many countries, women and girls suffer structural discrimination: unequal access to education, early marriages, violence, economic marginalization. And the numbers are impressive: 61% of the poorest people are women (oxfam, 2021).

This cause aims to improve the empowerment of girls and women, promote gender equality, and aims to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls around the world.

Around the world, associations support women's rights, support their empowerment and fight against gender violence, in collaboration with local communities.

Many NGOs are committed to gender equality in the countries of the global south:

• The World According to Women conveys the vision of a world where women and men fight together against the patriarchal system and transform relationships of domination into egalitarian relationships. In the South as in the North, the NGO is committed to those who are fighting for a new model of society that guarantees women's rights.
• Menstru'Elles seeks to sustainably improve the living conditions of women by fighting against menstrual poverty in France and around the world.
• UN Women France Since 2013, UN Women, the United Nations agency for gender equality and the empowerment of women, has been supporting UN Women, the United Nations agency for gender equality and the empowerment of women, in France.

Also to read: Gender equality, tips for mobilizing your business

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4. Refugee aid

Climate crises, armed conflicts, political persecutions: never before have so many people been forced to flee their homes. At the end of 2024, there were 42.7 million refugees in the world (UNHCR).

Beyond emergency reception, it is a question of allowing them to regain dignity, access to rights, and to rebuild a future.

Associations and NGOs play a crucial role in housing, psychological, legal or social support, and in long-term integration.

Some ideas from NGOs that help refugees:

• SINGA promotes the creation of links between newly arrived people (refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants) and local people (who know the cultural codes of the host society) in order to promote the development of each person's social and professional network.
• UniR accompanies refugees and asylum seekers in their academic integration.
• Refugee Forum aims to welcome asylum seekers and refugees, to defend the right to asylum, to promote the conditions for the integration of refugees, to support foreigners in the effective exercise of their rights, to fight against discrimination, and to promote and defend human rights and the rule of law.

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5. Ecological transition

Climate change is hitting the most vulnerable regions hardest, which have nevertheless contributed little to the crisis. According to a report From Oxfam, 1% of the richest emit more CO2 than two-thirds of the poorest of humanity, or 5 billion people. Droughts, floods, food insecurity, loss of biodiversity: populations in the South are the most affected by the consequences of climate change.

It is important to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacities in all countries in the face of climate hazards and climate-related natural disasters, but this starts with the fight against the main culprit: climate change!

Numerous associations act in this direction and contribute to the protection of ecosystems.

Here are several NGOs that fight against climate change and for the preservation of the environment and biodiversity:

• Friends of the Bonobos works to save the bonobo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only country where bonobos live.
• Solidarity feelings supports the protection of biodiversity and the preservation of wildlife by developing international volunteer missions.
• WWF France acts on a daily basis to offer future generations a living planet and works to put an end to the degradation of the environment and build a future where humans live in harmony with nature.

Also to read: How to engage your employees in favor of the environment?

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6. Emergency situations

When a disaster occurs, whether natural, health or conflict-related, thousands or even millions of lives are at risk. In 2024, humanitarian challenges reached unprecedented levels, with 323.4 million people in need of assistance worldwide (ONU). Emergency humanitarian action consists of providing relief, distributing vital goods or providing care.

These interventions require great responsiveness, detailed knowledge of the field and often complex logistics.

NGOs intervene every day, sometimes at the risk of their health and safety, to protect these people in distress.

There are many NGOs involved in international emergency situations, including:

• Première Urgence Internationale is a non-profit, apolitical and secular organization that helps civilian victims who are marginalized or excluded by the effects of natural disasters, wars and situations of economic collapse.
• Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides assistance to populations whose lives or health are at risk in more than 70 countries around the world.
• International Solidarities is an international humanitarian aid NGO that, for more than 40 years, has been helping populations victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their vital needs: drinking, eating, and shelter.

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Mobilizing employees around international solidarity

Why involve your employees in actions of an international scope?

Global challenges concern us all, across borders and businesses, as major economic players, have the resources (human, logistical, financial) to make a difference. NGOs are constantly looking for human and financial resources to continue their actions.

Hiring employees can take several forms: skills sponsorship, volunteer missions, logistical or technical support, fundraising, etc.

By making a commitment, the company shows that it is attentive to major social and environmental balances, and that it fully integrates its social responsibility into its operations.

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5 solidarity actions to mobilize employees around international solidarity

To guide you, here are examples of actions to offer to your employees:

• Set up a collection of materials for Ukraine within your company with Lyon Ukraine ;
• Organize a book drive for Libraries Without Borders ;
• Support a refugee woman in the definition of her socio-professional project with UniR Universities & Refugees ;
• Collect endowments for a humanitarian NGO like Doctors of the World or Lawyers Without Borders France.
• Go to Madagascar for a solidarity trip organized by the association Majunga LDEM's children. Note: International solidarity leave (CSI) gives an employee the opportunity to request international solidarity leave to participate in a mission outside France, on behalf of a declared humanitarian association or an international organization of which France is a member.
• Participate in La Run for Planet : 1st eco-designed and solidarity race organized in France for the benefit of associations acting for the preservation of the planet including Sea Shepherd France, the League for the Protection of Birds, Médecins du Monde, L214 Ethique et Animaux and L214 Ethique et Animaux and Planète Urgence.

Also to read: Skills sponsorship in associations: how does it work?

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Concrete cases of companies committed to international solidarity

Engaging your company internationally also involves mobilizing its employees working in its subsidiaries located outside France.

Present in more than 75 countries with an employee engagement platform translated into 38 languages, Komeet supports many large international groups by adapting to the specificities of subsidiaries in each country.

Discover examples of partner companies that are committed internationally!

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Covivio: an engagement program structured at European level

Deployed in France, Italy and Germany, Covivio, a leading European real estate operator, develops sustainable and inclusive living spaces. Committed to a social responsibility approach, the company created its Foundation in 2020 to promote equal opportunities.

Covivio created the Socovivio engagement program structured at European level. The engagement experience is consistent in all countries with easy access to missions and monitoring the impact generated. Across its 3 countries of establishment, no less than 16 associations are supported. In terms of program animation, each country adapts the animation locally while sharing the same solidarity objectives. A synergy conducive to commitment!

For example, Covivio employees were able to prepare solidarity meals, for 3 hours, for refugees benefiting from the association. Refugee Food. Others also participated in the renovation of a youth center for a day with the Italian association La Strada.

To discover the complete customer case, it is hither.

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Essendi: a commitment in 25 countries

Essendi (ex-AccorInvest) is a leading hotel owner and operator in the economic and mid-range segments in Europe.

In 2022, the partnership with Komeet starts with a well-defined objective: a clear target: to take action by involving the 1000 employees at the head office in 25 countries in solidarity missions and Make commitment a pillar of corporate culture.

At Essendi, the engagement program turns the CSR strategy into a real committed adventure. 1 day of commitment is offered to everyone, unifying challenges are organized, a network of ambassadors is present in more than 20 countries, and above all, local missions are available online.

Everything is in place to mobilize teams around concrete actions and create a collective feeling of pride and usefulness.

For example, Essendi employees supported The Felix Project, a food redistribution charity in London, by getting involved in its solidarity kitchen.

To discover the complete customer case, it is hither.

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Komeet support: from idea to real impact

Solution for the social commitment of employees, Komeet assists you in setting up coherent, unifying and useful engagement programs all over the world!

To offer a complete solution to our partners and best meet the needs of associations, the methods of engagement on the Komeet platform are varied:

• Field missions with associations
• Skill missions
• Mentoring
• Fundraising
• Solidarity team-building
• And much more actions to engage your employees!

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