Recap of the Luncheon-Meeting on the Commitment of Nantes-Based Companies to Disadvantaged Youth

On September 17, 2020, associations, businesses, and public authorities gathered at the Harmonie Mutuelle premises for a progress update on the initiative launched by the Break Poverty Foundation: the Dotation d’action territoriale.

A Year Ago, the DAT Was Established in the Nantes Metropolitan Area with the Ambition to Mobilize Local Businesses in Support of Disadvantaged Youth. Today, 22 companies and foundations have come together to financially support nine nonprofit projects dedicated to fighting social inequalities. This effort represents nearly €275,000 and allows for the support of over 7,300 beneficiaries during 2020-2021.

A roundtable discussion brought together beneficiary organizations and committed businesses to highlight the effectiveness of the initiative.

Nonprofits More Mobilized Than Ever During the Crisis

Faced with the new challenges imposed by confinement and its consequences, the associations supported by the program have had to adapt and react quickly. Aïcha Tarek, President of the Regart’s tutoring association, recounts how, thanks to the DAT, the association was able to set up “energizing” vacations for children aged 6 to 10, starting in July. This helped them to catch up on their schooling, particularly in reading, and to re-establish their links with school. When asked what they liked best about the program – which also included leisure time – the children all said “the teacher”.

For the BRIO project, represented by its manager Ellen Kouzoubachian, it was essential to rethink the way of promoting cultural openness, one of the pillars of the program, which is aimed at secondary schools from modest backgrounds. As all of this has to be done remotely, this has highlighted the need for digital access. Thanks to the Connexion d’Urgence call for projects set up by the Break Poverty Foundation, Emmaüs Connect and the AFEV mentoring collective, BRIO was able to tackle the challenges of the digital divide by providing computer equipment to those who needed it.

As part of the fight against dropping out of school through digital inclusion, the Break Poverty Foundation is continuing its action to offer every young person the same chances of success by equipping them with a computer, an internet connection and a mentoring program for one year. Click here to find out more.

Strong Commitment from Nantes-Based Companies to Disadvantaged Youth in the Area

Lionel Fournier, Director of Harmonie Mutuelle Atlantique, began by emphasizing that health is linked to inclusion and access to employment. According to him, the DAT has helped sustain the Jeunes Envie Motivation project by Escalade Entreprises, thus “saving lives.” The program works to re-engage 14- to 16-year-olds at risk of early school dropout.

When asked about corporate commitment during the crisis, Mr. Fournier reaffirmed the need for solidarity: “A company cannot thrive in a society that is struggling.” For Aplix, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of hook-and-loop fastening systems, “the philosophy is to support employee engagement,” said General Manager Sandrine Pelletier. The company not only provides financial support to the DAT but also offers skills-based sponsorship, allowing employees to become involved in social projects. Gilles de Larauze, founder of the Happy Ba’bees nursery in Bellevue, is preparing to open two new nurseries to “change the lives of the neighborhoods” where they will be located. His dream? “A more inclusive and collaborative society for tomorrow.” By opening nurseries, the entrepreneur is committed to helping local nonprofits. The DAT, open to all companies, seemed like an “obvious choice,” providing him with the opportunity to contribute according to his means.

Reaffirmed Support from the City of Nantes

For Bassem Asseh, First Deputy Mayor of Nantes, “bringing together people and local stakeholders helps break the vicious cycle of poverty and find the first job for disadvantaged youth.” André Sobczak also praised the Break Poverty Foundation for “rising to the challenge” of collective mobilization by offering “complementary actions to those already existing in the area, building on what was already in place.” Nantes, a committed city that supported the initiative, is “the right territory for the DAT due to the ability of its actors to work together,” added the Vice-President of Nantes Métropole in charge of Europe, employment, and CSR.

An Ongoing Process of Spreading the Initiative in the Region