On Wednesday, March 13th, the Air France Foundation Grand Prix was held at the Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris. Bringing together nearly 400 people from the associative world and the airline, this 8th edition marked the triumphant return of the event, paused since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Created in 2009, the Foundation's Grand Prix pays tribute to the associations and their teams who work with children and young people who are ill, lack security, or disabled in over 80 countries. This convivial event also aims to pay tribute to the commitment of Air France's volunteer employees who devote their time, talent and energy to offering a better life for future generations.
At the awards ceremony, attended by Anne-Marie Couderc (Chairman of the Air France-KLM Board of Directors), Anne Rigail (CEO of Air France and President of the Air France Foundation) and Estelle Brice Santos (Managing Director of the Air France Foundation), the Foundation recognized the actions of associations, employees and customers in four categories.
The Projeto Uerê association was awarded the "Grand Prix" for its unique and innovative learning methodology, which enables younger generations to achieve autonomy, one of the Foundation's major objectives. This alternative school, created in 1997, applies a specific pedagogical model for children and young people living in one of Rio de Janeiro's largest and most violent favelas. Today, the school's 380 students receive not only basic education, but also training in music, sports and the arts.
The company's employees voted to award the "Coup de Cœur" prize to Empire des Enfants, an association based in Dakar, Senegal, which, since its creation in 2000, has provided 5,000 children with shelter, care and education.
New this year: the "Customer Prize" honored the Flying Blue member with the largest donation. By donating their Miles, members of the loyalty program can have a real positive impact, helping to send supplies and other aid to the Foundation's partner associations.
Finally, the "Employee Prize" was awarded to initiatives backed by Air France employees who are particularly committed to the Foundation's work. This year, three winners were selected:
- FLY n'KISS: an association that provides sick, disabled and underprivileged children with their first flight aboard light aircraft. Since 2011, nearly 3,500 children have been able to discover the magic of flying, leaving with their eyes filled with stars.
- Valentine's Day Flights: a special flight initiative where personalized goodies are sold on board to benefit one of the Foundation's partner associations. In 2024, the proceeds from the campaign will be donated to the French association "Sport dans la Ville", which works to integrate young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods through sport.
- Le Goéland: an association providing moral, administrative and financial assistance to Air France staff with disabilities, as well as their families and friends. It also organizes nature retreats to provide the same people with a welcome escape.
More broadly, this prize belongs to all Air France employees who support the Foundation's projects and demonstrate their solidarity on a daily basis.
About the Air France Foundation
Since 1992, the Air France Foundation has financed over 1,650 projects in 80 countries and supported nearly 900 associations.
The Foundation regularly relies on a network of 5,000 company employees to carry out its actions around three pillars: education, inclusion, social and professional integration; environmental awareness; and humanitarian work.