Nexans Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary with an event in Chile

• Over the past decade, the Foundation has supported 158 projects, in 38 countries and in five continents, benefiting over 2,6 million people.
• In Chile, through the NGO TECHO, more than 300 solar light posts have been installed, under the program “Safety light to the Neighborhood ”. Starting this year, this program has expanded to Peru and Colombia, with a commitment to install more than 200 posts in the 3 countries.
• The event was organized by Madeco by Nexans.

Santiago, November 16, 2023.– In 2013, French company Nexans became the first player in the global cable industry to establish a Corporate Foundation dedicated to serving the public interest through energy access.  Since then, the Nexans Foundation has supported 158 projects on five continents, benefiting more than 2,6 million people.

In order to highlight this milestone and the importance of ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, a panel discussion was held with experts to address the value of collaborative efforts, both intersectoral and community-driven, in realizing initiatives such as those undertaken by the Nexans Foundation in Chile and the region.

The meeting allowed the Nexans Foundation to reflect on achievements over the past decade and showcase the inspiring work carried out with TECHO in Chile.

Camilo Elton, General Manager of Madeco by Nexans, highlighted the importance of the 'Safe Light to the Neighborhood' program developed by TECHO with the support of the Nexans Foundation. 'Being able to contribute since 2020 with the financing of various solar public lighting projects in more than nine regions of the country has impacted the quality of life for people. Illuminating paths, preventing accidents, reducing the sense of insecurity – it's about lighting up lives, and it makes us proud of our work,' he stated.

Meanwhile, Alonso Fernández, CFO of Madeco by Nexans and Sustainability Leader for the Andean Region of Nexans, highlighted the alliance between TECHO and the Foundation to install around 200 light posts in settlements in Chile, Peru, and Colombia, stating that it "will impact thousands of families and communities“.  He also emphasized the importance of working in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 'taking a global perspective to ensure access to affordable and non-polluting energy.

Panel Discussion

During the meeting, Pía Palacios, Director of Studies at Techo Chile, presented the results of the 2022-2023 Camp Census conducted by the organization.  The Census revealed a 40 percent increase in the number of families living in informal settlements throughout Chile compared to the previous year, now reaching 114 thousand families. Pia delved into how the issue “goes beyond a roof”, also sharing some findings on the perceptions of communities benefiting from the “Safe Light to the Neighborhood” program.