As its 2025–2026 funding programme comes to a close, the Air France Foundation looks back on a year in which it supported nearly 40 projects around the world. Through these many initiatives, the Foundation has contributed to improving the learning conditions, and access to protection and support for more than 60,000 children and young people. One example among many is the recent inauguration of the newly expanded school at the Damien de Molokaï Centre school in Cotonou, Benin.
A defining pillar: empowering younger generations through education
Since its creation, the Air France Foundation has embodied the airline employees’ commitment to solidarity, driven by a shared ambition – to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children around the world. This commitment is reflected in its support for grassroots organizations that develop solutions tailored to local needs and deliver lasting impact for the most vulnerable children and young people.
Education remains a cornerstone of the Air France Foundation’s work. Through its support for educational initiatives, the Foundation contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030.
This commitment to education forms part of the Foundation’s broader mission to support children and young people.
Focus: in Cotonou, a school expands to accommodate more pupils
Inaugurated on 3 June 2026, the extension of the Damien de Molokaï Centre school in Cotonou is a concrete illustration of the Foundation’s long-term commitment. In 2024, it co-funded the construction of a new nursery school building, increasing capacity from 50 to 150 pupils. In 2025, the addition of a second floor more than doubled the number of primary school classrooms, from four to nine.
The Centre is recognized for its innovative educational approach, which combines classroom learning with hands-on experience through its agroecological garden, green tourism initiatives, and cultural, artistic and sports activities. The programme helps children develop environmental awareness, to learn to live and work together, and become more independent, while also supporting the association’s financial sustainability.
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© Centre Damien de Molokai -
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© Centre Damien de Molokai -
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© Centre Damien de Molokai -
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The inauguration took place in the presence of the Air France delegation.
On this occasion, Jean-Marc Breton, Air France country manager, highlighted the importance of projects like this in transforming children’s lives.
Jean-Marc Breton stated, “This is the largest project funded by the Foundation here over the past two years, and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when they discovered the new building confirms my belief that we are helping to give them a brighter future.”
This achievement demonstrates the Foundation’s ability to support high-impact projects over the long term, working closely with local partners and Air France teams, whose commitment is essential to the success of these initiatives.
A wide range of projects meeting local needs
The Foundation’s impact goes even further.
In recent months, the Foundation has also funded the construction of a permanent school in a Nairobi slum, support for children through an innovative education programme in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most violent favelas, comprehensive care for street children in New Delhi, and academic support for children from underprivileged neighborhoods in Marseille.
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Beyond these initiatives, the Foundation also promotes wider access to education, by improving conditions for care and support in orphanages and community centers, supporting reading, fighting the digital divide, and providing access to sport and art as tools for empowerment. By tackling inequalities and offering holistic support, these projects help create fairer and more sustainable opportunities for children to thrive, while ensuring the Foundation’s work remains firmly rooted in local communities.
The end of this year’s funding programme brings to a close a year of concrete initiatives, but with a continued shared commitment to future generations.
If you would like to support these initiatives and help these children, you can make a donation by clicking here
Every donation, no matter the amount, helps transform lives.