Modernisation of the State
Youth and sports
The sports training system in France
Organisation of sport in France
Aid packages for young people
To address the issues concerning the diversity of expectations of young people in terms of commitment and initiative, the Ministry of Health, Youth and Sport has put together two programmes that offer aid packages to young people: "Let’s act !" and "Let’s write".
The goal is to make the aid packages for youth projects more accessible and effective and to develop young people’s creativity, ambition and aptitude.
"Let’s act" programme
This programme supports young people from the start to the finish of an individual or collective project by offering pedagogical, technical and financial support. All areas are concerned: sport, environment, culture, citizenship, solidarity, Europe, fashion etc. The project must build in an aspect of social utility or public interest.
In 2006, over 3 300 projects were selected and 42 000 young people participated in the programme. Over 15 000 were direct beneficiaries.
Throughout France, departmental services of the Ministry and the “Let’s act" support units assist young people in their local areas.
A special web site has been set up enviedagir.frenviedagir.fr to provide young people with information about the programme as well as making many methodological tools available.
In 2007, three objectives were identified for the development of this programme:
Strengthening actions for those young people least likely to take initiative, especially those from underprivileged neighbourhoods or from rural areas
Encouraging as many young people as possible to experience volunteer work
Developing a local “Let’s act” support unit network. This local network already has 750 structures in place that welcomes newcomers, provides information and supports project managers.
The budget set aside for this programme in 2007 is 8.5 million Euros (+1.2 million/2006)
"Let’s act!” Three mechanisms to encourage initiative
Three mechanisms structure the "Let’s act" programme. They are able to address issues in an adapted way that is able to distinguish between the maturity and size of the project
1) Departmental funds for youth projects.
These funds are used to finance a first individual or collective project which demonstrates social utility or is of public interest. These funds are also available for associations that have been functioning for less than three years. The maximum amount of funding available is €1 000.
2) Commitment aid
This funding has been set aside to ensure the sustainability of youth projects that have already benefited from local funding. It is awarded by a regional commission and the maximum amount of funding is €1 600.
3) Youth challenge
This aid package is for young people aged between 18 and 30. It aims to support more structured professional projects which have an impact on the future of the young person. Projects that generate income also benefit from support and expert advice. The maximum funding of 8 500 euros is awarded by a regional jury.
The national "Let’s act" jury
Throughout the year "Let’s act" departmental and regional juries select winners and award financial aid for projects. Projects which stand out due to their quality and exemplary nature are selected to go before a national "Let’s act" jury.
In 2006, 58 candidates went before the national "Let’s act" jury. 18 national winners benefited from additional financial aid and national press coverage.
For more information visit www.enviedagir.fr
The "Let’s write" programme
This programme encourages the discovery of new talent and promotes quality contemporary literature. It brings together young authors, experienced writers, publishers, experts with an interest in youth, those in charge of associations, and journalists.
There are three competitions: novels, poetry and cartoons written in the French language (any nationality)
The "Let’s write" 2006 prize was awarded on 14 March 2007 at the National Library in Paris, France.
1) First Novel Prize
Created in 2005, this award is organised in partnership with the Research and Information Centre for Literature for Young People. The jury is composed of seven readers aged between 15 and 18. They select an unpublished work of fiction written by a young author aged between 18 and 30. Three prizes are awarded (First prize: €3 000, 2nd and 3rd prize €1 000)
7 manuscripts were submitted.
The 2006 winners:
Prize for first novel: Florence SERRIS for "La petite porte malheur"
Honourable Mention: Gabrielle SHAFF for "L'automne des idées"
Honourable Mention: Yaël GRANIER for "La dernière pluie du printemps"
Arthur Rimbaud Prize
Created in 1991, this award is organised in partnership with the Maison de Poésie. It selects a collection of unpublished poems from young authors aged between 18 and 25.
This competition awards three prizes (Arthur Rimbaud Prize: €3 000, 2nd and 3rd: €1 000).
32 collections were pre-selected.
Arthur Rimbaud Prize: Benjamin Terral for "l'Envol des Baobabs"»
Honourable Mention: Marie Paraire for "Démo"
Honourable Mention: Nicolas Cvetko for "Les Orfèvriques"
Young Talent Prize
Created in 1994, this award is an official prize at the International Cartoon Festival held in Angoulême. It selects three complete and unpublished cartoons from authors over the age of 17.
It awards three prizes (Young Talent Prize: €2 000, 2nd and 3rd: €1 500).
There were 20 entries.
Winners of the 2006 Young Talent Prize:
Young Talent Prize: Kyung-Eun PARK (Korea)
Honourable Mention: Grazia LA PADULA (Italy)
Honourable Mention: Dominique MERMOUX (France)
The competition rules can be found on: www.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr
By reaching out to young writers, the literature awards of the Ministry of Health, Youth and Sport encourage the culture of language and writing. They also support young people in the creative process as well as putting them in touch with professionals.