To eat, drink, sleep and work … the most vulnerable people need help to fulfil their basic needs. For many years, BNP Paribas has been lending its support to community projects in order to assist disadvantaged people.

Some projects are country-wide initiatives; others focus on assisting disadvantaged communities in a particular town or district.

"Projet Banlieues", Helping to Re-Invigorate Vulnerable Neighbourhoods through Local Associations

Through its main lines of action, the "Projet Banlieues" programme (the Suburbs Project) supports local associations working to encourage local development in vulnerable districts, as well as to promote education, the professional training of young people and social inclusion.

This programme is aimed at local associations present in the towns and cities of 7 French departments. It is being led by the BNP Paribas Foundation in close collaboration with the French Retail Banking division.

"A Year without Hunger"

BNP Paribas Egypt has decided to dedicate the budget that is normally designated for purchasing end-of-year gifts for its partners and customers to helping Egyptian families in need. The amount assigned enables several hundred families to be fed – nearly 6,000 inhabitants in four towns in 2010 – for an entire year.

This initiative is part of a long-term partnership between BNP Paribas Egypt and the Egyptian Food Bank (EFB). The "A Year without Hunger" programme is aimed first and foremost at identifying families who do not have the financial means to provide for their own needs.

“Soup Kitchens” in the Heart of Bulgaria

This project was launched in the winter of 2001/2002 on the initiative of the staff of BNP Paribas' subsidiary in Sofia, with the support of the city council.

Every working day during the winter, from December to March, hot meals are distributed to the elderly and the most disadvantaged – numbering some 150 when the project was launched – in various districts of Sofia.

Since then, nearly 2,000 meals have been distributed to the disadvantaged population through some ten centres in Sofia and Varna.