The SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour, with the support of the Alcoa Foundation, unveiled the activities and news of the 2nd edition of the PRO Action sustainable development support program. The program, aimed at business managers, elected officials, municipal administrations, and local organizations, focuses on raising awareness, sharing inspiring initiatives, and increasing skills in sustainable development through conferences and personalized support. In this regard, and as a new feature this year, the SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour announces the creation of a cohort that will consist of 5 business managers and one municipality (elected official or general management). This support aims to implement strategic and structural actions in a spirit of sustainability and profitability for organizations.
« The challenges for businesses and communities are numerous, and as a development actor, we wish to contribute to the growth of businesses and the harmonious development of our communities with a focus on sustainable development. We are very proud of this program, which aims to inspire, inform, and support responsible action by addressing social and environmental issues while maximizing economic benefits! , states Mr. Steve Brunelle, General Director of the SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour.
Recruitment ongoing for the PRO Action cohort
The SADC is looking for managers who wish to rethink their business model to improve their economic, social, and environmental impacts. The program offers training in sustainable development, exchange workshops, and support for conducting a strategic diagnosis aimed at identifying priority issues for each participating organization. Post-diagnostic support will be offered afterward to identify business opportunities and validate the profitability of the most strategic actions. An action plan will result from this. This support will be provided by Mr. Marc Journeault, professor at the School of Accounting and head of the Research Center in Accounting and Sustainable Development at Laval University and the SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour. The cohort's activities will begin in January 2019 and continue until June 2019. The registration fee is $250 per person. The training and support activities of the cohort are made possible thanks to the collaboration of Services Québec.
PRO Action conferences
This year again, and thanks to the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cœur-du-Québec and Hydro-Québec, the SADC will offer inspiring conferences on sustainable development such as Social acceptability for small and large projects (October 11), Sustainable building – principles and applications (December 12), Measures to reduce energy costs (February 6), Earth Day Inspiration Lunch: When the businesses of tomorrow change the world - SD trends and business innovations (April 23), and a conference aimed at municipal elected officials: sustainable development at the local level, what role for MRCs and municipalities? (date to come).
The benefits of a sustainable development approach
A sustainable development approach allows for numerous benefits within the organization, including cost reduction, profitability, identification of strategic potentials, optimization of processes, improvement of corporate image, increased competitiveness, reduction of environmental footprint, employee retention, attraction of workforce, and response to government expectations.
The SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour will offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the travel of participants to the various conferences through Carbone Boréal. Carbone Boréal is both a greenhouse gas offset program through tree planting and a research project conducted by researchers from the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi.
For information and registration for the conferences and the cohort, contact Carolyne Aubin, sustainable development advisor at the SADC at 819 233-3315, extension 25.
Programming of the PRO Action sustainable development conferences 2018-2019
Recruitment for the cohort - businesses (support program)
Recruitment for the cohort - municipality (support program)
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Photo caption: Carolyne Aubin, sustainable development advisor at the SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour, Steve Brunelle, General Director of the SADC of Nicolet-Bécancour, and Charles Guillemette, General Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cœur-du-Québec.