Our initiatives received several positive responses and feedback from elected officials during the Salon des Maires et des Collectivités Locales (Mayors and Local Authorities Exhibition), which took place on Wednesday 1 June in Paris. These initiatives help vulnerable people in all regions in France, from the smallest rural villages to the largest cities, in partnership with local authorities and associations.
Local development relies on social and professional integration
Pierre Louette, Deputy CEO of the Orange group, notes that “digital technology is everywhere, for everyone”. It must offer an opportunity to integrate young people and women in difficult situations. Local development therefore relies on this “assistance with integration which, with Orange and its Foundation, is practically universal”.
Digital education through digital technology, our priority
The Solidarity FabLabs and the Digital Centres are two highly innovative digital education programmes which have been rolled out across all regions. “Equal opportunities are all around us”, notes Brigitte Audy, General Secretary of the Orange Foundation, whose initiatives benefit both cities and rural areas. “There are 38 Solidarity FabLabs in France; they offer alternative training for those who have left school, and a second chance for young adults without qualifications or a job who are excluded from apprenticeship schemes.”.
"Equal opportunities are all around us"-Brigitte Audy, Orange Foundation General Secretary.
30 new Digital Centres have been set up in 2016 with associations and the CIDFF, which help women without qualifications or a job. “By training them in digital technology, we hope to improve their employable skills and give them financial independence” underlines Brigitte Audy.
Preventing the isolation of young people and women in both rural and urban communities
Equal opportunities but also “regional equality”: Patrick Kanner, Minister of Urban Affairs, Youth and Sport, notes the importance of our initiatives which can give young people the chance to live in a rural area. “The rural community is part of our country’s DNA but we have fallen behind in its development.”
Jean Paul Carteret, president of the Association of Haute Saône Rural Mayors and Mayor of Lavoncourt is betting on digital solidarity to steer young people and women towards the service industry. We have seen tangible results as the population is increasing in small rural areas under threat (Lavoncourt, Corbenay, Jussey, Rioz) with young people performing civic service. Two Digital Centres will open their doors in 2016 in Haute Saône and the area of Belfort.
"The rural community is part of our country’s DNA"-Patrick Kanner, Minister of Urban Affairs, Youth and Sport.
Finally, in a more urban area, a new Solidarity FabLab has been created for the young people living in underprivileged sectors of Albi. Philippe Bonnecarrere, Senator of Tarn and President of the Albi Urban Community hailed the initial achievements of young people attending the Solidarity FabLab as “a human and professional success”.
