Launch of the RTE barometer

On Friday, October 16, Gomet' and the Partis-Pris agency introduced the Territorial Responsibility of Enterprises (RTE) barometer for the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area at the Institute of Public Management and Territorial Governance (IMPGT). This tool is designed to support a collective approach to how businesses engage with their local communities.

Expert discussion on RTE

The launch was accompanied by a roundtable discussion moderated by Jean-François Eyraud, featuring experts such as Christophe Alaux, Timothée Duverger, Anaïs Jacoby, and Nicolas Mat, as well as two key witnesses: Sandrine Motte and Laurent Laïk. The discussion emphasized the need for a shared reference framework to guide RTE efforts.

Need for a common framework

The study, based on input from companies of all sizes, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and public bodies, highlighted the need for a common reference framework to structure a collective dynamic. The new barometer aims to help stakeholders position themselves, track progress, and measure evolution over time.

Challenges in RTE implementation

The discussion pointed to a double challenge: making RTE more visible, measurable, and readable as a global approach, and creating a collective dynamic that is both agile and structured. The current situation shows that while there are many local initiatives, they often operate in isolation and lack coordination.

Current state of RTE in SMEs

Existing frameworks for RTE are not well-suited to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up the majority of the local economy. Only 19% of SMEs measure their territorial impact, compared to 53% of larger companies. However, a strong commitment exists, with 87% of companies forming partnerships with local actors.

Recognition and measurement gaps

Despite the prevalence of RTE practices, there is a significant gap in recognition and measurement. While 87% of companies claim to practice RTE, only 31% measure their territorial impact, and 28% clearly distinguish RTE from corporate social responsibility (CSR). This highlights a need to identify RTE not just where it is named but also where it is implicitly practiced.