The 4th annual ‘ESF Initiatives Trophies’ event took place on 17 March 2023, highlighting beneficiaries of the ESF in France and celebrating the commitment of project leaders across the country in the fields of inclusion, employment and skills.
The event took place as part of the ‘ESF initiatives Village’ organised by the Ministry of Labour, Full Employment and Integration, and in collaboration with Regions of France. The Village is a yearly event that highlights the work of ESF-funded, French projects that provide comprehensive and innovative support for unemployed people. Held at the Centquatre cultural centre in Paris, the Village celebrates projects that help integrate people into the labour market, working to adapt their skills and promote educational success – with a particular focus on young people.
This year’s best projects are…
La Maison De l’Emploi Ouest Provence
Winner of the equality award for working to promote gender equality in the workplace, ‘La Maison’ has been working for professional equality and job diversity since 2009. The project raises awareness of gender stereotypes through direct action in middle and high school students and through women's groups. La Maison also supports workshops to promote women’s empowerment and self-confidence, as well as acts as an information centre to join women with community childcare services.
Watch the project video (youtube)
ASL Lamentoises
‘ASL Lamentoises’ won the inclusion category for promoting labour-market access, regardless of background. The project works to provide sustainable and healthy food, promoting both local agriculture while respecting the environment. ASL Lamentoises achieves this by promoting its other aim: working with local prisons to offer detainees a chance to leave the criminal life behind. The project offers counselling and personal development sessions – with a vital qualification at the end of the programme.
Watch the project video (youtube)
Entreprendre Ensemble
For the winner of the digital transformation award, ‘Entreprendre Ensemble’ has embraced the changes digital skills have brought to the world of work, learning and training. The project works out of Dunkirk, an area that has experienced big changes in its labour market – and is now finding it difficult to find people in numerous digitally-oriented fields. This is where Entreprendre Ensemble comes in: helping both the community and individuals find what works best for them – meeting the needs of both companies’ labour needs, as well as helping vulnerable individuals gain valuable skills that will help them transition to a quality career.
Watch the project video (youtube)
Communication of Municipalities of Petite Terre
The double winner of both the youth category – and the public choice category – for promoting sustainable integration of young people into the labour market is ‘Mediation for tranquillity’. The project aims to increase community cohesion, tranquillity and collaborative thinking through implementing mediation across the Petite Terre region. Mediation for tranquillity partners with 16 mediators, who work with local actors and government authorities to set up interventions at schools and colleges. The main approach aims to identify and support young people at risk of early school leaving and social and professional exclusion.
Watch the project video (Youtube)
Over a hundred projects competed, with winners selected by a jury made up of ESF partners in France and a representative of the European Commission.
