Relations with national, European and international institutions and advocacy actions

Intesa Sanpaolo strongly collaborates with Italian think tanks, professional and industry associations in a common commitment on the theme of sustainability that has become central over time.

The ISP Group collaborates with various national associations and stakeholders promoting initiatives and partnerships on issues related to ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance criteria, non-financial reporting and circular economy.  

Within the Italian Banking Association (ABI), Intesa Sanpaolo takes part in specific Working Groups (WGs), mainly focused on dealing with the relationship between financial risks and climate change, socially responsible or social investment, non-financial reporting and more broadly with issues related to the EU Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy. Drawing from its business and governance divisions expertise, the ISP Group contributes to defining ABI’s position on sustainability, with the aim of a productive dialogue with national and European decision-makers. Specifically, in 2020 Intesa Sanpaolo actively participated in the "Sustainable Loans - Supporting Companies in the transition process to sustainability" project, an initiative aimed at assessing ESG risks (mainly Environment and Climate Change) linked to business opportunities. The Bank also took part in the definition of the "Vademecum for Sustainable Finance", an information-educational tool, created jointly by ABI and Consumer Associations to raise awareness - with a simple and friendly language - of sustainability issues.

In addition to the work within ABI, Intesa Sanpaolo Group is enhancing its relationship with the leading Italian trade associations with the aim of increasing awareness about sustainability and ESG criteria among companies and networks.

The issues of access to credit (public guarantees) and grants and/or alternative tools  to support companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis to promote the competitiveness of companies, also deepened in the Plenary and in different context of working groups, such as the Italian Financial Center for Sustainability leaded by banking and finance associations (ABI and Sustainable Reindustrialization.Febaf), as well as through direct talks with national and local public institutions, were also given special attention. A detailed monitoring of grants offered by regions and regional financial companies has been prepared. A specific focus in this area has been reserved to those aimed at supporting innovative companies, new-established companies (start-ups) and youth entrepreneurship.

Two projects were also launched which provide for the establishment of permanent Observatories on issues falling within the scope of sustainability and inclusion.

The first Observatory has as its objective the analysis and dialogue on the demographic trends, competitiveness and sustainability of the Country, by carrying out studies and organizing awareness-raising events.

The analysis of the demographic phenomenon, in fact, can be included in the reflection on the socio-economic development of Italy and can play an important role for the social sustainability of the Country.

The second Observatory focuses on financial inclusion, as an enabler of economic growth for young people, women, foreigners, start-ups and micro-enterprises. As part of the work started there is the activation of a study on the dynamics of integration of migrants for the sustainable growth of the country implemented in 2018, the start and consolidation of the dialogue dedicated to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation with the scientific publication published by Euricse, dedicated to best practices in support of the social and economic inclusion of migrants and asylum seekers, launch of the training project of the Foundation itself and of the Catholic University in which Intesa Sanpaolo defined its intervention in the project and illustrated its best practice to the students of the degree course in Sustainability Management. Dialogue has begun with some national and international Institutions. In this context, Intesa Sanpaolo was invited to the national table on financial inclusion promoted by MEF and Bank of Italy as part of the country's participation in the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion and to the next table of dialogue and discussion dedicated to the topic of financial inclusion established at the Italian Banking Association (ABI). Finally, the involvement of international organizations, foundations and sector associations is envisaged.