30 Aug 2024 In Nantes, companies mobilize against poverty

Break Poverty Foundation is currently rolling out an innovative and unique corporate mobilization scheme against youth poverty in Nantes, with the support of the Metropolis: the Territorial Action Fund (TAF). Following a successful initial experience in the Drôme, this scheme was included in the Poverty Plan, and Nantes Metropolis is now part of the new demonstration territories. The challenge: to fund 17 projects in the area to help 10,000 young people from priority neighborhoods in Nantes Metropolis over the next 3 years. Many business leaders, network representatives (CPME, CJD, MEDEF, Réseau Entreprendre), and Nantes Metropolis officials attended the second meeting for the implementation of the Nantes TAF on June 26 at the CCI premises.

The Territorial Action Fund : Break Poverty is deploying an ambitious scheme in Nantes to fight poverty

Nantes is a rapidly growing economic metropolis, but like everywhere in France, youth in its neighborhoods suffer, and disparities in living standards are widening over the years. In response to this, Break Poverty Foundation aims to once again demonstrate that business engagement can make a difference in combating social determinism. The foundation’s teams have conducted a social needs assessment of Nantes’ neighborhoods, selected effective and transformative projects that address these needs, and are now inviting local businesses to unite to fund this scheme through a voluntary allocation dedicated to projects of their choice.

A Nantes project that is progressing rapidly thanks to engaged stakeholders

On April 3, Break Poverty Foundation presented the principle of the Territorial Action Fund and the 17 projects selected to support 10,000 young people from the city’s priority neighborhoods to around forty local stakeholders. Most of these projects are led by Nantes associations and aim to support young people in poverty, from early childhood through to professional integration.

“The reception of Nantes businesses to this scheme is very encouraging and reveals the full potential of the Territorial Action Fund to help the most impoverished youth.” — Denis Metzger, President of Break Poverty Foundation

After about thirty meetings with Nantes businesses, the June 26 meeting at the Chamber of Commerce was an opportunity to announce the first financial commitments and also to gather testimonials from Nantes businesses involved in the scheme, as well as from Serge Papin, former President of Système U and Break Poverty Board Member.

“There will be no adaptation of the current model without local solidarity expressed through all stakeholders, with businesses being the leaders of this initiative.” — Serge Papin, former CEO of Système U and Board Member of Break Poverty Foundation.

This evening allowed all stakeholders to appreciate the strong momentum created for the Nantes TAF, as evidenced by Jérôme Duchesne, representative of the Centre des Jeunes Dirigeants Nantes-Atlantique, a partner in this initiative: “It has been three months since the foundation presented the scheme to us, and we have been mobilized alongside them. Today, the results are coming to fruition, and we are all eager to see the first projects funded !

Press contact : Valerie Daher, vdaher@breakpoverty.com, 06 70 01 58 34

Photo credit : Dylan Gilis, Unsplash.