EPISODE 03: Intesa Sanpaolo Bank's Efforts to Promote Decent Work and Economic Growth for Sustainable Development

The relevance of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 08 (SDG 08) and its significance in fostering decent employment and economic development for people, groups, and the larger society are explored in this essay. The piece centers on the initiatives taken by Intesa Sanpaolo Bank to advance SDG 08 through its commercial endeavors, goods, and services, highlighting case studies and examples of the bank's initiatives pertaining to decent work and economic development. The piece also covers the difficulties and chances that come with advancing ethical employment, economic development, and reaching SDG 08.

SDG 08, or "Decent Employment and Economic Growth," is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that the UN has created. It seeks to advance fair work for all, complete and gainful employment, and sustainable economic development. Achieving this objective will make society more just and fair while ensuring that everyone benefits from economic development.

The Intesa Sanpaolo Bank has invested a great deal of time into reaching SDG 08 because it understands how important it is to encourage decent employment and economic development. All of the bank's operations, goods, and services are designed to encourage economic development and produce fair employment chances for everyone. The bank offers funding options to companies, including small and medium-sized ones, in an effort to foster their expansion and the creation of new job possibilities. In order to encourage entrepreneurship and employment creation, the bank has partnered with various groups. For instance, the bank collaborated with the European Investment Fund and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development to establish the "Italy Venture II Fund," which offers financing options to creative start-ups and small companies, thereby promoting employment creation and economic expansion.

The bank has also taken steps to support the incorporation of vulnerable groups in the workforce and to advance female equity. To support the employment and advancement of women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, the bank, for instance, has created a "Diversity and Inclusion" program. Additionally, the program offers chances for training and development to improve participants' abilities and encourage job advancement.

Several obstacles still exist, despite the bank's attempts to support fair labor conditions and economic expansion. These consist of low job rates, unemployment, and the predominance of unpaid labor in some areas. Additionally, bias and discrimination still persist in the workplace, preventing all employees from having equitable chances. The bank needs to keep focusing on these issues and supporting inclusive economic development and decent employment for all. Additionally, there are chances to aid in SDG 08's fulfillment. For instance, boosting financial support for schooling and skill development can help people become more employable and raise their odds of finding good jobs. In addition, fostering initiative and aiding small and medium-sized companies can lead to the creation of jobs and boost regional economic development.

References and resources to learn more about the SDGs and Intesa Sanpaolo’s key sustainability initiatives and achievements:-

01.  (Luận Văn Thạc SĨ) Corporate Social Responsibility in European Banking Industry and lesson for (no date) (LUẬN văn THẠC sĩ) corporate social responsibility in european banking industry and lesson for. Available at: https://123docz.net/document/10326152-luan-van-thac-si-corporate-social-responsibility-in-european-banking-industry-and-lesson-for-vietnam.htm (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

02.  The 17 goals | sustainable development (no date) United Nations. United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

03.  Loans: IMI Intesa Sanpaolo (no date) Homepage. Available at: https://imi.intesasanpaolo.com/en/products-and-services/sustainable-solutions/loans/ (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

04.  Sustainability governance: Intesa Sanpaolo (no date) Intesa Sanpaolo Group. Available at: https://group.intesasanpaolo.com/en/sustainability4_new/sustainability-governance (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

05.  Sustainability: Intesa Sanpaolo (no date) Intesa Sanpaolo Group. Available at: https://group.intesasanpaolo.com/en/sustainability. (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

06.  Sustainability: Intesa Sanpaolo (2021) Intesa Sanpaolo Group. Available at: https://group.intesasanpaolo.com/en/sustainability (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

07.  Take action for the sustainable development goals - united nations sustainable development (2020) United Nations. United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

08.  2021: Intesa Sanpaolo (2021) Intesa Sanpaolo Group. Available at: https://group.intesasanpaolo.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021 (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

Thanks for reading this post on Intesa Sanpaolo Bank's sustainability strategy. If you're interested in learning more about SDGs, be sure to check out our upcoming posts, where we'll be exploring SDGs. Stay tuned for more insights into  Intesa Sanpaolo Bank's sustainability strategy and how we can all work towards a more sustainable future.