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Launched by the Grameen Cr\u00e9dit Agricole Foundation and Cr\u00e9dit Agricole SA in 2018, Solidarity Bankers is a skills-based volunteer program open to all Cr\u00e9dit Agricole Group employees, in France and internationally, for microfinance institutions and impact businesses supported by the Foundation. Discover the testimony of St\u00e9phanie Thibesard, Solidarity Banker at CACEIS Bank, Luxembourg Branch, who went to Kosovo for a risk management mission with the AFK microfinance institution.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I knew about the Grameen Cr\u00e9dit Agricole Foundation but not the Solidarity Bankers program it offers to Cr\u00e9dit Agricole Group employees. I discovered it when a podcast by a solidarity banker, Andreas Brunner, was broadcast, sharing his own experience. I admit I completely recognized myself in what he described. So I consulted the Foundation's "catalogue" to see the different missions offered. The mission at AFK in Kosovo, corresponding to my activities at CACEIS Bank Luxembourg Branch, seemed obvious to me! And this, for several reasons: it allowed me to discover a sector of activity that was unfamiliar to me (microfinance), to share my knowledge, experiences and skills (help and contribution to the improvement of a system), it offered me a unique human experience (acting for others but also with others), it represented a new personal challenge and it was a unique opportunity to get out of my comfort zone!<\/p>\n As part of this technical assistance mission on behalf of AFK, we worked on setting up an operational risk map, which was previously non-existent within the MFI. This gave me the opportunity to share my knowledge on operational risks and more specifically on the mapping of these risks, to then work on a template adapted to the institution's activities, both simple and functional, but above all effective (which can be enriched during subsequent reviews and according to AFK's needs). This exercise allowed me to refocus on the essentials of a map, namely identifying the major risks linked to an activity in order to be able to remedy them through action plans. I realized that by sometimes wanting to enrich or expand it too much (both in indicators and in granularity), the map sometimes tends to lose in terms of readability.<\/p>\n Above all, this opportunity represents an incredible human experience! In Kosovo, and particularly in the AFK teams, I met very welcoming people, available but also transparent in their communication (important for the smooth running of the mission). The exchanges were truly constructive and very enriching. I also discovered a culture: the recent history of this country and its reconstruction, a way of life and customs, a sense of hospitality, a geographical and economic environment... During this immersion, I was also able to observe a real capacity for resilience among the Kosovars. I think that one necessarily comes back different from this kind of mission.<\/p>\n Without a doubt! If a new mission of this type were to arise again, I would apply! However, I believe that such an experience should be shared by as many people as possible. I can therefore only encourage the group's employees to embark on a Solidarity Banker mission.<\/p>\n __________________________________________<\/p>\nWhat prompted you to apply for a Solidarity Banker mission?<\/h4>\n
To what extent is this mission relevant and enriching for your work within CACEIS?<\/h4>\n
What does this opportunity mean to you on a personal level?<\/h4>\n
Would you be interested in new technical assistance missions on behalf of the Grameen Cr\u00e9dit Agricole Foundation?<\/h4>\n
I would like to sincerely thank the Management of CACEIS Bank, Luxembourg Branch (Philippe Bourgues, Country Managing Director and Dominique Lapierre, Deputy Managing Director) as well as Human Resources (Anne-Catherine Loiseau and Pauline Duburquoy) for their support in this project. I would also like to thank S\u00e9verine Pierret (ROCP Management) for her availability and wise advice, particularly during the preparation phase of the mission. And of course, a special thank you to the AFK teams (represented by Vahdet Anadolli, CEO and Xhevdet Spahija, COO) for the warm welcome they gave me and for the excellent conditions in which this mission was carried out.<\/h5>\n