On May 25, 2023, UV Insurance announced proudly the renewal of a partnership for the inclusive and sustainable development of communities in developing countries. The renewed alliance with SOCODEVI will allow for the support of cooperative projects around the world and thus contribute to improving the living conditions of frequently marginalized rural communities.
As a mutual company, UV Insurance has been involved for nearly 20 years with the Société de Coopération pour le développement international (SOCODEVI), a leading Quebec organization in the international cooperation sector. “With this partnership, we want to contribute to the continuation and promotion of the cooperative model around the world and make a tangible commitment towards more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous communities,” explained Christian Mercier, Chief Executive Officer of UV Insurance.
Among the initiatives supported, UV Insurance will make a major donation of $100,000 for an inclusive economic development initiative in the tourism sector. Managed by SOCODEVI in Guatemala, the PRODISOL project aims to revitalize the cultural and natural heritage of the Lake Atitlán region. Drawing on its vast experience of working with rural communities in this Central American country, SOCODEVI will be deploying activities and tools to involve indigenous women and youth in each of the region’s communities—a key ingredient for sustainability and improved living conditions in the area.
“This project in Guatemala is part of a wider effort to mobilize our employees, our mutualists and our business network around the challenges of sustainable development and reflects our desire to make a difference, at least on a small scale, in the world around us, here and elsewhere,” added Mr. Mercier. As such, an internal network of ambassadors will be created to showcase and promote SOCODEVI’s initiatives. “UV Insurance’s contribution to the success of our mission demonstrates how strong our shared values and commitment really are. Such support from a member institution is also a strong show of recognition for the efforts made by our teams in some fifteen countries for the benefit of tens of thousands of cooperating families,” explains Jean-Philippe Marcoux, CEO of SOCODEVI.
With this partnership, UV Insurance is also committed to supporting SOCODEVI’s carbon tracking by taking part in offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by its activities. It should be noted that SOCODEVI is one of the first international cooperative organizations in the country to be certified carbon neutral.