“Télémaque was founded 20 years ago with the idea that young people are invested, motivated, and deserve support to dream of their future and realize their dreams,” says Ericka Cogne.
Today, every young person from Télémaque is supported by a mentor from the business world or civil society, by an educational referent who is a teacher at their school, and also through company visits, self-confidence training, and regular outings to cultural or sports venues, to broaden their horizons.
Télémaque has supported 2,700 young people across 12 regions and has over 1,100 alumni in higher education. “So nearly 4,000 young people who want to succeed and who, coming from modest families, are held back by the system because they self-censor, because their parents self-censor, and because the system self-censors their dreams, desires, and possibilities,” explains Ericka Cogne.
It is the teachers who identify them in classes, starting from 5th grade in general pathways and 10th grade in vocational pathways. These are young people who participate in class, do their homework, and want to succeed, but who live in neighborhoods and fragile territories. “And the idea is that thanks to the quality support we promise each young person for 5 years, and even more when they are alumni, we can truly restart the social elevator in France.”
By 2025, this support has resulted in 72% passing rates for the baccalauréat and over 95% of young people continuing their higher education, whereas in their home territories, they represent on average between 20 and 30%.
But beyond academic results, there is a remarkable increase in self-confidence throughout their journey. From 5th grade to Terminale, supported young people gain over 20 points in this area. Subsequently, they improve other psychosocial skills that are absolutely crucial for social mobility, particularly oral communication, with over 42 points gained.
Finally, initiative-taking, which is the ability to formulate an idea and move forward, is crucial especially when it comes to finding a job. Here, 92% of alumni secure a permanent contract within 6 months. “And unlike many young people in France, they are really very confident in their choices of orientation and profession, because we have taken the time from 5th grade or the beginning of the vocational track to help them choose their professional project as early as possible,” emphasizes Ericka Cogne.
This serenity is shared by Sylia Bourad, supported by Télémaque, now a master's student in social policy at La Sorbonne. “Télémaque has really helped me a lot in my journey, particularly in developing a sensitivity to issues of equal opportunity and societal challenges. It also fosters culture and curiosity in general. It’s truly excellent support in terms of schooling, orientation, but it goes beyond that into personal development. And today, I continue to engage.”
