Helping children in vulnerable communities across France realise their full potential

What’s the issue?

Across France, the government has identified 1,514 urban territories known as ‘quartiers prioritaires de la politique de la ville’, or QVC for short, that are disproportionately experiencing the greatest social difficulties. These areas are home to 5.4 million people, including 2.1 million young people. Growing up in such challenging conditions leaves children at greater risk for weakened personal development, as well as a lack of access to studies and professional integration.

Within QVC communities, one in two young people live below the poverty line[1], one in six have dropped out of school[2] and one in three are neither in training, nor studies, nor in employment[3].

How are we addressing it?

Since 2022, Forvis Mazars in France has been supporting ‘Ma Chance Moi Aussi’, an association that accompanies vulnerable children in QVC communities and helps empower them to reach their full potential. In collaboration with France’s national education schools, the association identifies children from families in situations of educational fragility and poverty early on to provide them with comprehensive global, educational and academic support from ages 6 to 16.

At Forvis Mazars in France, our support is both through financial means and dedicated involvement on the ground (through events and activities). Many of our employees across France are committed to the association and act as regular points of support across the country and notably help with specific fundraising needs.

Further, our Forvis Mazars Group Chairman, Hervé Hélias serves as an active member of the board of Ma Chance Moi Asussi and Olivier Lenel, the CEO of Forvis Mazars in France, has launched a programme that encourages local partners to get involved with the association, helping it reach more people and therefore increase its impact.

What’s the lasting impact?

The resources dedicated to Ma Chance Moi Aussi have had a profound impact on the lives of many young people across QVC communities in France. It has helped them secure educational trajectories, develop transversal and interpersonal skills and effectively integrate into society and adapt to different socio-cultural worlds.

Not only have we impacted the lives of young people, but also their parents, who have been empowered to build confidence on educational topics and increase their involvement in their child’s education.

Commenting on our commitment to the association Hervé Hélias, Chairman, Forvis Mazars Group, said:

“I was not only touched but impressed by the project: it is a human-centred project, one that is practical, on-the-ground and designed to support children in the long-term, starting from their youngest age and continuing for several years to come.”

[1] Institut national de la jeunesse et de l’éducation populaire ;

[2]  Ministère de la cohésion des territoires et des relations avec les collectivités territoriales – Rapport de Jean-Louis Borloo

[3] Ibid.