Crowdfunding: we give strength to the common goods . This is the theme of the 2017 tender for crowdfunding projects launched by the Banca Etica Group.
With the announcement we intend to support initiatives of the Third Sector, of female entrepreneurship 1 or of youth entrepreneurship 2 times for the valorization of assets (buildings, premises, land and infrastructures, public or private for public purposes) for the start or enlargement or the management of reuse, reconversion or redevelopment projects for social, cultural and environmental protection purposes .

What guarantees the selection of the Crowdfunding call

• Access and exclusive presence on the Rete Etica Network in Produzioni dal Basso for the duration of the collection scheduled from 6 November to 22 December 2017 .
• Visibility and promotion on the Bank’s website and through newsletters and other communications for the entire duration of the call (at most 90 days except for extensions decided by the Organizers).
• A training meeting dedicated to designers in videoconference mode, to accompany publication and maintenance activities in the project platform.
• A contribution from the Fund for Crowdfunding by Etica Sgr to all the projects that will reach at least 75% of the budget, integrating the total amount of the collection up to 100%. The contribution in absolute value can not in any case exceed 7,500 euros , remaining subordinate to the overall capacity of the Fund defined for the specific call and will be paid to those entitled, only at the total deadline of the call as scheduled. The projects, which will autonomously reach full collection with the public, will benefit from favorable conditions on the products and services of the bank .
• A further period of stay in the Network Banca Etica , after the announcement and for another month , if the budget is not reached, but the project proves to have collected at least 50% of the budget collection : this opportunity will not give the right to the next contribution part of the Fund up to 25% of the remaining budget.

Phases and timing of the Crowdfunding announcement

1. From September 25th to October 22nd 2017 on the page www.bancaetica.it/crowdfunding, applications for crowdfunding projects consistent with the requirements and with the subject matter of the call can be sent .
2. Within the month of October the internal commission will select up to a maximum of 15 projects . Following this, Banca Etica will communicate by e-mail the result of the evaluation to all the participants and the operational indications for the final phase.
3. The finalist projects will be able to raise funds in the Banca Etica network on the Produzioni dal Basso (PdB) platform from 6 November to 22 December 2017 .

PARTICIPATE IN THE NOTICE

FURTHER INFORMATION

The theme of the announcement

Planning will be taken into consideration for the development of activities or services for the benefit of the community within spaces managed directly by the proposing subject. The real estate must be fully available to the proponent The interventions for the enhancement of the assets will be in a preferential, but not exclusive, real estate in which there is already a redevelopment project for social purposes through public evidence (eg assets confiscated from the Mafia and specifically assigned or other public tenders, eg the management of Anas canton houses) or local and private calls (such as, for example, redevelopment projects of the Railways, assignment initiatives by ecclesiastical bodies or local institutions and administrations) . Assignments (on free loan, from free multi-year concessions or enhancement, other methods of assignment to term) must already be effective at the time of application, as documented by the property or self-certification by the proposer.

Those already involved in the project presented will be privileged , the initiatives that involve assets already available to the public or that integrate services already in operation.

Interventions for the acquisition of assets and resources as well as investments for restructuring, re-use or redevelopment will also be allowed.

Therefore , investments, either tangible or intangible, that do not have a direct relation or purpose instrumental to the realization of the intervention will be excluded .

For all applications it is required that the estimated budget (total cost of the campaign and all related charges) ensures full expected operation and its sustainability over time.

To whom it is addressed

Third sector organizations, cooperatives and companies with female and youth entrepreneurial requirements are invited to participate. The winning organizations are already established at the time of the call for tenders (also in start-ups or in the spin-off phase of established organizations) and are members of the bank or otherwise commit themselves to becoming one; from the operational point of view, the opening of the current collection account at the Bank will be a binding technical condition.

Project selection criteria

Third sector organizations, cooperatives and companies with female and youth entrepreneurial requirements are invited to participate. The winning organizations are already established at the time of the call for tenders (also in start-ups or in the spin-off phase of established organizations) and are members of the bank or otherwise commit themselves to becoming one; from the operational point of view it will be in fact a binding technical condition to open the current collection account at the BancaI projects will be selected by an internal commission to Banca Etica, which will carry out its assessment by comparing the different applications according to the following criteria:

• relevance to the announcement;
• overall quality and originality of the project;
• quality of the communication plan and ability to activate promotion networks and a community of interest to the specific project;
• the economic sustainability of the project as represented in the budget also with respect to the objectives of the collection and the development prospects starting from the project idea;
• the overall expected social and environmental impact, expressed through quantitative and / or qualitative indicators, with respect to the objectives envisaged by the project;
• previous crowdfunding experiences in partnership or for other projects;
• overall consistency with the values ​​and objectives of Banca Etica, as summarized in Article 5 of the Bylaws (cr. Banca Etica: who we are ).

Application documentation

They are foreseen as mandatory attachments , in the Format of the application which must be complete and correct in its main information:

• the Project in synthetic form but complete (up to 2 standard folders) with description of the proponent that highlights their experiences with respect to the activity in question (eg references and network of partnerships activated, previous crowdfunding experiences, skills or competences in the construction of network or management of online communities and activities in social media, etc.);
• the Budget or economic-financial plan for forecasting and managing project expenses (including campaign costs or activities related to crowdfunding, any rewards, service costs, etc.);
• the Communication Plan or explanatory document on the support action for the planned fundraising, creation and management of the support community, reward-reward system studied in this regard and every element that helps in the promotion of the initiative;
• the Document or self-certification attesting the availability of the asset by the proposing subject.

Savings , a useful tool for the social and civil development of the country . This is the thought of 80% of Italians who, despite the context of uncertainty, continue to save money to be able to look to the future with tranquility and wisdom .

These are some of the considerations that emerge from the survey on Italians and the savings of Acri-Ipsos presented on the occasion of the 94th World Savings Day . Specific theme of this Day, which falls every year on October 31, is the ” Ethics of saving and development “.

Data from the survey on Italians and Savings

The results of the survey confirm that the tension to save, or the desire to save , is very strong and concerns 86% of Italians. 39% of households say they have actually managed to save money (+ 2% compared to 2017) and, as reported by Istat, there is also an increase in household gross savings (+ 18% compared to the same period of 2017). When Italians think of savings, the references are above all positive (82%), linked to the idea of tranquility (39%), protection (21%) or wisdom (19%). Saving for Italians is an attitude of life linked to daily life , which translates into a continuous attention that starts from small things and reaches the biggest, rather than a constant renunciation or a run-up to the discount.

A saving that consciously looks to the future

Increasing the share of Italians who attribute to savings a value that goes beyond the private sphere and are increasingly those who, when they save, perceive to do – in addition to their own interests – also those of the country: they were a quarter in 2017 (24% ), about a third now (32%). And that’s not all. For 51% of Italians, a fundamental aspect of saving is linked to the education of young generations to a conscious and balanced life , to get them used to planning and thinking about the nearest future or after retirement. The savings, in fact, is also very linked to the idea of ​​the future and the thought of what will happen: Italians save above all to protect themselves from future risks and to be ready for tomorrow, good or bad.

The role of companies for a more sustainable development model

The survey also deepens the world of companies as protagonists of the production world and possibly the object of investing savers. According to 79% of Italians, these must be attentive to the consequences of their activity on the environment and on the social fabric , urging a sustainable and responsible attitude . 68% of the world’s population believes that the companies that will be successful are those that will not only provide good products or services, but that will make a positive contribution to society . The survey shows that companies, to be considered sustainable, should combat all new forms of slavery , especially juveniles (80%), refuse any attempt at corruption (77%) and avoid running any risk to the consumer (75% ).

Invest today for a more sustainable future

Sustainability and responsibility are the key words that inspire the range of Etica Sgr mutual funds . A range of products that offers investors the opportunity to invest in the most virtuous countries from a social and environmental point of view and in companies that pay more attention to sustainability and collective well-being . In addition, with a view to stimulating companies to adopt increasingly sustainable and responsible behavior, Etica Sgr constantly talks with the top management of companies in which they invest their funds and intervenes in the shareholders’ meetings with a particular focus on the issues related to the Sustainable Development of the United Nations.

Impact report: the new way to see the investment

Impact report by Etica Sgr: a novelty made in Etica Sgr. What is it?

Let’s start with a photograph of the world of savings: socially responsible finance is no longer a niche issue, today it is mainstream and   meets the sensitivity of an ever-wider audience .

This is because today’s investors are no longer just content with their returns but are expecting more from their investment. For example, know what their savings are and if their choices have a socio-environmental impact.

Responsibility and performance are therefore two interrelated factors for an ever increasing number of investors, also because the idea that investments chosen with a rigorous social, environmental and good governance method are able to produce good long-term performance are now accepted. a lower risk .

The impact of the investment

Why is it important today to be aware of your investment choices ? They are now known to all the risks that threaten the planet and the legal and reputational consequences that would result from insufficient attention to the problem, in addition to the consequent financial damage .

Not to mention that the social and governance aspects have the same importance as the environmental aspects in determining the impact of a company and its possible exposure to business risks / opportunities.

At Etica Sgr we are convinced that investing according to environmental, social and governance criteria and being able to measure the effects and achievements achieved with respect to the market represent an important integration of value . To respond to this need and to have maximum transparency towards our customers, the Impact Report was born (find out immediately ).

Etica Sgr publishes the first impact report

Etica Sgr has decided to be an active part in this action program, reinforcing the sustainability analysis .

Such as? Through the calculation of the impact of their equity investments, to grasp the link with the real economy. With this in mind, Etica Sgr has published the first Impact Report (find out now ), which measures the environmental, social and governance sustainability of the companies in which the Ethical Equity fund invests in relation to the market (as reference ETF iShares Msci ACWI , fund benchmark proxy).

The results

The Impact Report takes into consideration a set of indicators consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN agenda, bringing out excellent results.

The results of the Impact Report: the companies in which Etica Azionario invests have a positive impact higher than the reference market, which amounts to:

• 43% more in the environmental field,
• 28% in the social sphere,
• 21% in terms of governance .

This is an important milestone, but at the same time an important starting point for strengthening the effectiveness of our company selection process.

Sustainable investments reduce the risk

Responsibility for investments is an opportunity . Just think about the reduction of waste and waste ,   the development of environmental quality management systems , the implementation of policies on equal opportunities .

All these issues have now become real competitive factors of investment and are increasingly integrated into risk management.

How much is the impact investment market worth?

The impact investment market is gaining more and more momentum globally. According to Eurosif, it is the fastest growing category in SRI strategies and worth € 98 billion in Europe, up by 385% compared to € 20 billion in 2013 [1] .

According to the Global Impact Investing Network , the 208 largest global institutions (Fund managers and Foundations) that contributed to the realization of the last survey in 2017, manage 114 billion of assets in impact investments [2] .

The United Nations: 17 Goals for sustainable development

Finance today plays a decisive role in promoting sustainable development, a crucial goal of the UN 2030 Agenda. The 2030 Agenda is an action program signed by the governments of 193 UN member states that sets 17 common goals for international development .

Investing responsibly would speed up sustainable development. This is demonstrated by the study ” Better business, better world ” of the Business and Sustainable Development Commission according to which setting sustainable development objectives at the center of global economic strategy would mean creating new business opportunities by 2030 for a value of 12 thousand billion dollars.

What is engagement in the world of investment? By the term engagement we refer to the activity of dialogue between investors and businesses and the exercise of voting rights in relation to our equity investments.

The aim of engagement is to establish a continuous and constructive dialogue over time on the questions of sustainability and social responsibility.

Engagement activities in 2017

Let us look in detail at how Etica Sgr engagement developed in 2017.

Voting: shareholder activism

In 2017 Etica Sgr directed its shareholder activism at 17 firms, of which 11 Italian, 3 Japanese and 3 American. Etica Sgr is committed to physically attending the shareholders’ meetings of all Italian companies in which its funds invest. This is a vital aspect of building an increasingly fruitful dialogue with the boards of directors.

Particular attention was given to the sphere of governance in relation to the following issues:

• Gender diversity in terms of the number of women on boards of directors;
• Remuneration policy;
• Independence of the members of the Board of Directors;
• Policy on dividends;
• Purchase of own shares.

Dialogue with the companies

Etica Sgr’s dialogue activities set out to influence and drive businesses towards best practices and sustainable behaviours.

This is why activism is not limited to the companies in which the funds invest or which make up the Investable Universe.

Dialogue can go beyond this to involve other firms, especially together with international networks of responsible investors with whom Etica Sgr collaborates. The strategic areas of dialogue that Etica Sgr has identified are:

• • • Climate change.
    • Human rights in the supply chain.
    • Tax optimization.

Why does Etica Sgr believe in engagement?

Etica Sgr has always been committed to furthering sustainable and responsible investment and views engagement as an indispensable and strategic part of its work. Engagement is not limited to the shareholders’ meetings at which we exercise our voting rights, but is built by continual dialogue throughout the year. We use precise targets to measure progress over time, through a patient process of pointing out to firms the opportunities, even in business terms, of increasingly responsible behaviour, adapting corporate practices to ongoing environmental and social change.

Our efforts are aimed primarily at urging them to think about and act on environmental, social, governance issues, and for this reason we try to take the path towards improvement together with our corporate interlocutors. This is especially important today, when governments, companies and the public are called to do more to achieve sustainable development.

The importance of this area for Etica Sgr was confirmed by the creation in 2018 of the Corporate Engagement and Network Manager to oversee the work on sustainability carried out by Etica Sgr either independently or together with the national and international networks to which it belongs.

Etica Sgr, engagement and SDGs: united we are stronger

At 2017 shareholders’ meetings Etica Sgr chose for the first time to associate the issues addressed in our engagement activity with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to try and stimulate dialogue with firms on the broader, globally shared question of sustainable development.

These Goals commit the governments of the 193 Member States of the United Nations to promote sustainable development around the planet, touching issues such as health, education, gender equality, combating famine and poverty and environmental safeguards.

What are the main issues tackled by Etica Sgr?

To learn more, click on the following items.

Corporate governance

The question of corporate governance covers issues such as the independence of the Board of Directors, the separation of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, the gender diversity of the board and remuneration systems.

These issues are central to Etica Sgr’s analyses because a well governed company is more likely to achieve strong financial results in the long-term.

GOAL 5: Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and emancipate all women and girls. The principal barrier to change is the persisting gender gap, seen in the fact that women are often still under represented in managerial positions or paid less for doing the same job.

GOAL 8: Decent work and economic growth

Incentivise lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent jobs for everyone.
Regarding Sustainable Development Goal number 8, Etica Sgr has been actively involved in the governance issues relating to corporate remuneration.

GOAL 12: Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. One of the aims of Sustainable Development Goal number 12 is to encourage businesses, in particular large multinationals, to include information on sustainability in its annual statements.

Commitment to tackling climate change

Etica Sgr has long taken an active interest in climate change, excluding from its investments those industries with a particular impact in terms of gas emissions such as petroleum or mining, preferring to invest in environmentally friendly companies. Etica Sgr’s engagement activity reinforces and amplifies its efforts as a sustainable and responsible investor, encouraging the companies in which it invests to adopt more efficient strategies in line with the Sustainable Development Goals linked to climate change.

GOAL 6: Clean water and sanitation

Ensure that sustainable water management and hygiene/sanitation systems are available to everyone. The United Nations is calling for a more responsible use of water resources. The goal is to achieve adequate and fair access to hygiene and sanitation for everyone, reduce pollution and protect and restore water-related ecosystems.

GOAL 13: Climate Action

Promote action to combat climate change at every level. Climate change is a global challenge that knows no bounds. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity are currently at their highest levels in history. Against this background Etica Sgr is committed to driving companies towards a low carbon economy, pressing for emissions reporting and reduced consumption, and the development of renewable energies.

GOAL 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and encourage sustainable use of the ecosystem and forest management, combat desertification, arrest land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss. The United Nations believes that it is important to mobilize sizeable financial resources to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Etica Sgr is therefore urging companies to adopt responsible wood procurement policies, reduce deforestation by suppliers of palm oil and policies that are friendly to wild animals.

Human rights in the supply chain

The question of human rights is of vital importance, especially in countries with slack legislation, where many businesses often operate through their suppliers. Etica Sgr has always focused attention on respect for human rights in the selection and monitoring of the supply chains of the businesses in which it invests. Engagement activism tries to raise awareness among company boards of the values of social and environmental responsibility also with respect to their suppliers. It is important to incentivise the monitoring of internal processes through for example supply chain audits to prevent episodes of discrimination or exploitation like child or forced labour.

GOAL 8: Decent work and economic growth

Incentivise lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent jobs for everyone. For Etica Sgr a sustainable supply chain is both necessary and at the same time extremely rewarding. Etica Sgr occupies the front line in campaigns against human rights violations, drawing firms’ attention to their supply chain policies and recruitment practices to protect respect for the environment and human rights along the whole chain.

GOAL 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and more inclusive societies for sustainable development; offer access to justice for all and create efficient, responsible and inclusive bodies at every level. The United Nations is calling for governments to reduce illicit flows of finance and weapons and step up measures to combat all forms of organized crime by 2030. It is vital that national institutions are strengthened, even through international cooperation, to enable them to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

Tax optimization

Investors are increasingly taking an interest in the conduct of the companies in which they invest. As a consequence, companies have a strategic interest in reconciling economic growth with a fair distribution of resources, managing their tax affairs transparently and in accordance with the law, adequately rewarding all stakeholders, and fully disclosing all their activities.

GOAL 10: Reduced inequality

Reduce inequality within and among countries. Reducing national and international inequality is probably one of the world’s most challenging goals, because the poorest countries have few means available to improve their situation. Sustainable Development Goal 10 draws attention to this issue measured by various indicators including the social, economic and political inclusion of citizens. Reducing inequality is also especially important in that, beyond a certain threshold, it is damaging to economic growth