To reinforce its commitment to the Nordic Region and tennis as a sport, BNP Paribas has become the title sponsor of the ATP250 tournament BNP Paribas Nordic Open (former Stockholm Open).
The tournament which starts today in the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm, is the oldest indoor ATP tournament in the world. Nordic Open aims to be the world’s most sustainable tennis tournament, and any profit is automatically put directly back into different youth projects.

Since the first edition in 1969, BNP Paribas Nordic Open, former Stockholm Open, has offered unforgettable tennis moments. Well-known names such as Roger Federer, Björn Borg, John McEnroe and not least three-time-time Stockholm Open Champion and Tournament Director, Thomas Enqvist, are some of many tennis stars who have played the tournament.

This year’s edition has a strong line up of players. Reigning champion and world number five Holger Rune is there to defend his title. In addition to this, Stan Wawrinka, Matteo Berrettini, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Gael Monfils are some of the starts who will be standing on the center court in Stockholm this week.

Since the first edition in 1969, BNP Paribas Nordic Open, former Stockholm Open, has offered unforgettable tennis moments. Well-known names such as Roger Federer, Björn Borg, John McEnroe and not least three-time-time Stockholm Open Champion and Tournament Director, Thomas Enqvist, are some of many tennis stars who have played the tournament.

This year’s edition has a strong line up of players. Reigning champion and world number five Holger Rune is there to defend his title. In addition to this, Stan Wawrinka, Matteo Berrettini, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Gael Monfils are some of the starts who will be standing on the center court in Stockholm this week.

”Tennis is a part of our DNA. It’s an honor and incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to continue build on the success of the tournament.  The Royal Tennis Hall has a unique atmosphere and our aim is to share it with an even wider international audience.”

Eirik Winter, CEO of BNP Paribas Group Nordic region

This year, BNP Paribas celebrates 50 years of loyalty to tennis, driven by the conviction that tennis can rally people together, even off-court, and have a positive impact especially among young people.

Today the group is a partner to several international tournaments. The list includes the Roland-Garros French Open, three Masters 1000 (BNP Paribas Open, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Internazionale BNL d’Italia), one ATP 500 (Queen’s Championship), four ATP 250 (BNP Paribas Nordic Open, Open 13 Provence, Lyon Open Parc, Moselle Open) and two WTA 250 (BNP Paribas Poland Open, TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Open).

“This year, we are immensely proud to be celebrating 50 years of engagement and loyalty to tennis With the exceptional sponsors of our commitment programs, we share the conviction that tennis is even greater when it is responsible, collective and centered on youth. This is the principle that has guided our actions over the past 50 years, and we will continue our move with the same energy in the years to come.”

Vincent-Baptiste Closon, Head of Partnerships, Events & Sponsoring at the BNP Paribas Group

BNP Paribas solidarity initiative Every Point Counts which has been created to support diversity and inclusion in sports, will of course also be present at the tournament. BNP Paribas will donate an amount 10 SEK for every point won on all match courts during the tournament to Game Pep Match.

Game Pep Match is a collaboration between BNP Paribas Nordic Open and Generation Pep, with the aim of promoting play and physical activity for children and youth through the use of the classic tennis wall. The tennis wall will be available throughout Stockholm. On the painted tennis walls, children and youth can play together or individually. Rackets and balls will be provided through local community centers, associations, schools, and recreational facilities, depending on the areas.

The European Diversity Month 2022 took place in May. This year the focus was ‘Building Bridges’ with the aim to encourage organisations to build partnerships with NGOs, governmental institutions, other companies, cities or civil society to work together on diversity topics.

BNP Paribas Corporate and Institutional Banking organized a Diversity Run/Diversity Walk in Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki to raise awareness of the value of diversity. Our teams enjoyed some nice outdoor time together with our colleagues for a good cause.  

The initiative was organized by two of our employee networks in the Nordic region:

  • BNP Paribas PRIDE, which unites our LGBTQI+ employees and allies;
  • BNP Paribas CulturAll, which celebrates diverse backgrounds.

Reaching out to connect and share experiences is an important part of social inclusion!

We had the pleasure of welcoming 35 students from Alnaskolen to our office in Oslo.  Alnaskolen was set up in 2009 to help local youth gain leadership experience and connection to their community. During an interactive day, our BNP Paribas employees shared an overview of; what banking is and why is it important, the different roles of people working in banking, and career development in banking.

CIaudine Smith, CEO of BNP Paribas Group in Norway comments-

“I saw a lot of engagement from both BNP Paribas employees and the students especially at lunch time and during the speed dating sessions.  I had myself some very good discussions with a couple of participants and I am grateful for having had this opportunity to exchange but also reflect. If we have inspired even a few of them, broadened their knowledge, given the bank (and not only BNP Paribas) a positive connotation in their mind which they may want to share around them, then we have very well invested our energy and “Hours2help”.  I am convinced we all have! 

Thank you @Alnaskolan for a lovely day filled with interesting discussions. A special thank you to our Corporate and Institutional Banking CSR committee in for proposing the idea to collaborate with Alnaskolen, and to our local team for a wonderful organization.

Alnaskolen: a project offering learning opportunities for young people

Alnaskolen was set up in 2009 to help local youth gain leadership experience and connection to their community. In its 14th year, more than
400 children and young people aged 15-25 years (its main age bucket group is however ages 16-18 years), who have or want to have a leadership role in community activities in their local environment or in the field of sport, have graduated from the program. The program is structured to follow the school year. The program has adapted over time: successful graduation is only dependent on participation rate; however, several participants gain paid employment with Furuset IL post the program. The students meet approximately three times a month, with visitation days being days of school for the participants. These are some of the topics in the leadership program:

– Volunteer work / organizational knowledge
– Local democracy
– Reputation building
– Training and activity management (Activity management course under the auspices of the Oslo
sports district)
– Study trips to the Parliament, the University of Oslo, NHO, LO and others.
– Courses in first aid
– Planning of events
– Arrange family gathering
– Arrange the Furuset Festival
– Participation in the planning and implementation of other events
– Photo, film, and website production