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In a joint effort to promote social inclusion and employment opportunities for everyone, Cofidis and the IÉSEG Foundation have signed a three-year partnership agreement to support social inclusion. This initiative includes a financial contribution from Cofidis of €100,000 per year over three years, enabling students from underprivileged backgrounds to access the high-quality education offered by IÉSEG.

With the support of the Cofidis Group, European leader in online financial services, this partnership aligns fully with the company’s social mission. In a context of economic, climate and social challenges, Cofidis is dedicated to a responsible future, a mission that this collaboration actively supports.

Aligned with the values of Responsibility, Solidarity and Engagement upheld by IÉSEG, Cofidis also fully shares the School’s Vision, which is to “empower changemakers for a better society”.

Together, Cofidis, the IÉSEG Foundation and IÉSEG will focus on three main areas:
-> Guidance and support activities for French final-year high school and first-year post-baccalaureate students to facilitate access to IÉSEG. This will include presentations of the School in high schools in the Lille area, visits of the Lille and Paris-La Défense campuses, privileged interactions with faculty and current students, and promotion of available scholarships.
-> Around twenty Cofidis scholarships will be awarded to incoming students from low-income families in the Hauts-de-France region, covering 75% of their tuition fees. This aims to remove financial barriers to studying at IÉSEG for students facing financial difficulties.
-> Cofidis Group, IÉSEG and its Foundation will organize joint events to engage their stakeholders (students, alumni, staff, partner companies, clients, public authorities, etc.) in supporting equal opportunities in higher education. For example, a roundtable on this topic will be held on December 3 for Giving Tuesday, the International Day of Solidarity.

By partnering with the IÉSEG Foundation, Cofidis is committed to supporting young people in their education and career pathways while contributing to the development of the Lille area, where the company is headquartered. With 2,700 employees in the metropolitan area, Cofidis Group boosts local growth through job creation and by enriching the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this partnership, Cofidis aims to promote social inclusion and cohesion in the region.

On their side, the IÉSEG Foundation and the School strengthen their support programs for students facing financial challenges.

“IÉSEG is fortunate to have a network of committed alumni who continue to identify throughout their careers with the values of achievement, responsibility, solidarity, and engagement that the School upholds daily”, says Caroline ROUSSEL, Dean of IÉSEG. “I am especially proud that Nicolas WALLAERT, a 1995 graduate of the School, chose IÉSEG and our Foundation to support young people in our region and give them the best chance to grow, succeed academically and thrive as adults”.

“The IÉSEG Foundation is proud to count Cofidis as its first major partner focused on social accessibility. The Foundation’s mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of the School’s future students by granting them access to quality education. This collaboration fully aligns with that mission and will, I hope, inspire other sponsors to help broaden social access at IÉSEG”, adds Laure QUÉDILLAC, the School’s Corporate Relations Director, who is in charge of the IÉSEG Foundation.

“As an IÉSEG graduate with a deep connection to the Hauts-de-France region, I am especially proud to see Cofidis partner with the IÉSEG Foundation and IÉSEG in its Equal Opportunity program. We firmly believe that by facilitating access to quality education, challenging stereotypes, and offering tailored support, we can build a more equitable and supportive future for all”, explained Nicolas WALLAERT, CEO of Cofidis France.

“For Cofidis Group, fighting exclusion also means making higher education more accessible. This partnership with the IÉSEG Foundation embodies our commitment to equal opportunity, marking a strong statement of our vision and commitment within the Group’s HR strategy: to support social inclusion and skills development”, concluded Katia CANIOT, HR and Communications Director of Cofidis Group.