Participating in a Solidarity Leave

The PPR Foundation is offering the opportunity for employees wishing to participate in local solidarity initiatives to travel to southern countries for a two-week Solidarity Leave. Our three partner NGOs, Planète Urgence, Coup de Pouce and France Volontaires, are proposing a variety of missions, alone or as part of a group, to share your expertise, provide training, and build or renovate buildings.

What missions are offered?

In 2012, the PPR Foundation has 25 openings for Solidarity Leave assignments with the three partner NGOs.

  • Coup de Pouce is offering group missions (around 12 volunteers) for assignments of a manual nature, building or renovation of buildings dedicated to women (maternity, crafts workshop, etc.). 
  • France Volontaires is seeking specific skills in HR, Accounting/Management, IT and Audit to support women’s projects, especially in organisations partner of the PPR Foundation.
  • The Planète Urgence missions selected by the PPR Foundation will let you travel alone or in tandem to train women and contribute to their socioeconomic development.

Financing your Solidarity Leave

The PPR Corporate Foundation will pay for the full cost of the missions (training, housing, food, supervision, travelling in situ, etc.). You pay for your airline ticket, 66% of which is tax refundable under French law, your visas and vaccination, as well as your membership fees to join the NGO. Plan on around €1000 on average, plus or minus 30%, according to the destination and the season.

Every employee with a long-term contract can subscribe (no intern, temporary worker or employee recruted for less than 6 months).

KEY FIGURES

25 places opening for Solidarity Leave in 2012.
2 to 3 months
: a Solidarity Leave is a major commitment that takes time to mature calmly. Count on 2 to 3 months to choose your mission and prepare for departure in full serenity.

Preparing for your Solidarity Leave

Preparation with the NGO

Travelling on a Solidarity Leave to a country with a very different culture requires careful preparation. All three partner NGOs have devised their own preparation process, matching the needs of their assignments:

  • Coup de Pouce holds 3 preparation meetings with the full team: two before departure and one on return. Employees living outside Paris are advised to attend at least one of the meetings in person and attend another one via telephone conferencing.
  • France Volontaires meets with each volunteer for a full day, providing opportunities to be in touch with its local correspondents in the field and for contacts with the beneficiary association.
  • Planète Urgence organizes a 3-day training session (with 1 day e-learning), on issues of international solidarity and humanitarian action, based in particular on case studies. In France, the cost of this training session may be covered under your Individual Training Rights (DIF) scheme upon request to your HR Manager. Planète Urgence also proposes a follow up debrief for the volunteer.

Insurance

You will benefit from repatriation insurance coverage during your Solidarity Leave, to be subscribed either directly by Planète Urgence or by the PPR Foundation for Coup de Pouce or France Volontaires missions.

Context of Destination Country

Before your departure, find information about your destination country, its geographic and political situation, and culture, as this will greatly facilitate your integration. Also remember to check the required vaccinations, depending on your destination. A list of useful links is provided below for your information.

Contact details

Do not hesitate to contact volunteer employees, from PPR Group or partner companies, who have taken solidarity leave. They will advice you what to bring, how to organise your trip,  which place to visit, etc. The PPR Foundation will be pleased to give you their contact details: please write an e-mail or call  +33 1 45 64 61 04.

© 2009 Fondation d'Entreprise PPR pour la Dignité et les Droits des Femmes