Each year in France, nearly 80,000 young people leave school without a diploma. This complex issue—rooted in educational, social, and relational challenges—disproportionately affects youth from low-income backgrounds. But school dropout is not a fatality. It calls for a collective effort, where leading nonprofits work alongside the education system to support the 2 million students facing major academic struggles.
In France, it takes nearly 180 years, or 6 generations, for a poor family to succeed in rising to the middle class. France is the OECD country whose socio-economic determinism has the greatest impact on young people's education. Today, 1 student out of 10 fails and leaves school without a diploma every year to join the 1.5 million young people aged 15 to 29 who are neither in school, nor in training, nor in employment.
Young people are enrolled in REP/REP+ schools between the ages of 6 and 15 (i.e. 1.8M young people)
of NEET (young people who are not in education, employment or training) aged 15 to 29
of young people under 25 were unemployed in the 4th quarter of 2024 compared to 7.5% for the national average
4th grade students do not read properly and do not master problem solving and geometry.
Today, remediation costs society €340,000 per student — yet early prevention is far less expensive and delivers far better outcomes for young people. That’s why we advocate for public policy to prioritize prevention over cure.
The Foundation focuses its efforts on the key moments in a student’s journey when support matters most to prevent dropout. These needs vary by age and stage of schooling — and they’re even more critical for young people from low-income backgrounds.
The nonprofits supported by the Foundation deliver science-backed solutions at key moments when students are most at risk of dropping out. The Foundation’s goal: to ensure continuous support for struggling youth — from age 5 to 25 — to help them overcome every critical stage of their educational journey.
Although leading educational nonprofits operate nationwide, their reach remains limited — often concentrated in urban peripheries. The Foundation aims to strengthen their territorial presence to support all young people, in both urban and rural areas.
To address school dropout, the Foundation has mapped out the student journey into key stages — from preschool through to higher education. At each stage, it has identified critical tipping points where the risk of dropout is particularly high.
At these pivotal moments, six leading partner organizations intervene. Selected by the Foundation for their expertise in education and youth employment, these nonprofits work specifically with young people from low-income backgrounds across France.
Each organization brings its own proven methodology and innovative solutions to reduce dropout risks. Their strong capacity for engagement and local outreach enables them to act effectively across a wide range of territories.
Coup de pouce
Strengthen yourself in reading and numeracy skills
Energie Jeunes
Preparing to enter middle school
AFEV
Develop cultural openness and trust
Energie Jeunes
Learning to learn and develop psychosocial skills
Entreprendre pour apprendre
Discover jobs and give meaning to apprenticeships
Venture Philanthropy applies the methods of high-growth enterprise development to the nonprofit sector — helping organizations expand their reach, ensure long-term sustainability, and significantly amplify their social impact.
