The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation

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In 1989, Jean-Luc Lagardère created the Foundation that now bears his name. Now, 20 years later, the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation has remained true to its goals: encourage talent and forge closer social ties. Under the driving force of Arnaud Lagardère, it has continued to promote diversity, excellence and the taste for a challenge.
Determined to push boundaries, in 2009 the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation completed 20 years of work in different areas: culture, the French-speaking world, research, solidarity and sport.
On 1 December 2009 at the George Pompidou National Art and Cultural Center, the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation held its 20th annual awards ceremony to present talent grants to 12 young professionals active in culture and the media. The foundation thus honoured one of its primary commitments and in doing so celebrated its 20th anniversary in style.
Over the course of the evening, Pierre Leroy, managing director, reminded the audience of the Foundation's purpose, which above all focuses on "young people who suffer, young people who create and young people who learn".

Key events of 1989-2009

1990 > 100,000 books for Romania
At the behest of Pierre Leroy, in February 1990 the Foundation gave more than 100,000 works to the three biggest libraries in Bucharest and to the university of Iassy in Moldova. After the fall of the Communist regime, the new leaders of Romania called on the international community to provide humanitarian aid and cultural support. France in general, and the Foundation in particular, answered this call.

1994 > Plein Ciel for children
On 25 January 1994, in the company of Bernadette Chirac and Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, Jean-Luc Lagardère opened the Foundation's 13th library in a children's hospital. Located at Necker Hospital in Paris, this multimedia centre opened its doors as part of Plein Ciel, an area specially designed for teenagers.

1997 > A book for my child
The Foundation helped to create the "A book for my child" workshop at the Fleury-Mérogis women's prison. This reading and writing workshop allowed incarcerated mothers to rediscover the art of writing and connect with their children.

1999 > 10th anniversary
The Foundation's 10th annual awards ceremony was held at the Chaillot National Theatre. Since 1990 there have been 73 winners including 24 girls. From the outset, Foundation grants have introduced the written and audiovisual arts to designers, who have been encouraged in their work. "10 years is just the beginning", said Jean-Luc Lagardère on the Foundation's 10th anniversary.

2001 > Media centre in Amman
On 8 October 2001, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan opened the French-speaking media centre in Amman, on the grounds of the Aïsh Um Al-Mo'minin school. Started by the queen and Jean-Luc Lagardère, this project was intended as a vehicle for French culture.

2003 > The Hachette Foundation becomes the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation
On 26 November 2003, Arnaud Lagardère, its new chairman, renames the Foundation and declares: "I see this Foundation as a continuity". It thus remains an extension of the values that Jean-Luc Lagardère promoted, combining innovation with excellence.

2006 > Ace!
The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation signed a 10-year partnership with the Fête le Mur charity founded by Yannick Noah. This welcomes more than 2,000 children to 25 sites in France. Through the Foundation, the "Espoirs" (Hopefuls) programme brings together the best 30 players from the various Fête le Mur sites to receive individual training and enter numerous regional and national tournaments.

2007 > Sports at Sciences Po
With impetus from the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation, Sciences Po introduced a university education programme for high-level sports men and women. Since the autumn of 2007, the Sciences-Po - Jean-Luc Lagardère Executive Education body has enjoyed great success: 17 athletes for the 2007/08 programme and 29 for the 2009/10 programme.

2008 > Gateways to excellence
Fadela Amara, Junior Minister for Urban Affairs and Arnaud Lagardère, chairman of the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation, signed an agreement aimed at reducing the cultural and geographical isolation of talented young people in France's disadvantaged suburbs, concentrating on the fields of sport and music.

2009 > It's better together
The Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation, in partnership with Unis-Cité, a pioneering humanitarian organisation active in Service Civil Volontaire (SCV - Voluntary Civic Service), made it possible for 24 young people from tough urban neighbourhoods, working in teams over a nine-month period, to conduct various public interest projects aimed at mitigating discrimination, providing support for schoolchildren, the elderly and the disabled, and raising public awareness of the need for ecologically responsible behaviour. These young people are sponsored by Group employees, who offer advice and support.

2009 > A bus that works!
The Foundation launched the Apprenti'Bus with the Sport in the City association, providing a bus fitted out as a classroom. Four evenings a week, it hosts 100 children from tough neighbourhoods in the Lyon area for reading, writing and communications workshops.