BRED Banque Populaire launches the first French edition of the coopérathon
BRED is organizing the first edition of the Coopérathon from September 26 to October 30 in its home territory (Ile-de-France, Normandy and the DOM-TOM overseas French départements and territories). CASDEN Banque Populaire is one of the community partners of this event.
Launched in Quebec in 2016 by the Mouvement des Caisses Desjardin, the Coopérathon is an “innovation marathon” that invites all citizens to compete on projects with a strong social impact around four themes: Health, Finance, Education, and the Environment. Echoing the cooperative values of the Banque Populaire retail banking network, BRED wanted to get involved this year in the organization of this first French edition, which is being held in Paris, Normandy and overseas France (the competition may be extended to all of France as of 2019).
- For 25 days, teams comprised of committed citizens, entrepreneurs and social startupers will have to develop an innovative project related to one of the four themes chosen by the Coopérathon.
- To do this, participants will be accompanied throughout their pathway (from initial idea to prototype) by coaches, starting with the launch party at the Comptoir Général (Paris, 10th arrondissement) to the Grand Finale at the Élysée Montmartre theater (Paris, 18th arrondissement) on October 30 later this year.
- This event, which supports people wanting to bring their ideas to life, is perfectly in line with the commitment of the Banque Populaire banks in their regions. “The process of co-innovation, societal commitment, and the willingness to undertake have a particular dimension in the cooperative world to which BRED belongs,” emphasizes Olivier KLEIN, BRED's Chief Executive Officer.
- The aim is that all the actors involved continue to work together and pursue their entrepreneurial project after the end of the competition. By 2017, nearly 600 people had taken part and more than 70 projects had been launched in six cities across Canada.