"It’s a matchmaking platform, created with a childhood friend, that allows a student to receive help with groceries from individuals, families, retirees, or even other students who decide to engage and help fellow students in need,” explains Florian Rippert.
A mentoring concept that has already helped over 20,000 students across France, thanks to the generosity of more than 10,000 people.
Food aid is the entry point, but the concept primarily aims to create social connections between the student and the person who will assist them.
An idea that emerged after the lockdown in 2021, precisely when social connections were sorely missed and France was witnessing long lines for food distribution, mostly made up of students.
“For context, I was in charge of communication and marketing at that time in business schools,” recounts Florian Rippert. "I realized that many students were affected, including some I interacted with daily at my schools. They would eat lunch with me, but could skip dinner, and I was light-years away from imagining all of this.”
No associative model at the beginning of StudHelp, just the idea of creating connections and assistance through social networks. “But unfortunately it exploded very quickly, and as soon as we launched the website in March 2021, we received over 400 requests from students in less than a week, coming from places beyond Paris as initially expected.” Messages poured in from Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon.
Today, StudHelp is not only available online but also organizes events and meetings across France. The association has also established numerous partnerships with foundations and companies. Additionally, it created Les Repas solidaires, realizing two years ago that over 70% of its beneficiaries spent the holiday season alone, allowing them to celebrate New Year's Eve with families. This resulted in 600 meals in the first year, over a thousand in the second, aiming for more by the end of 2025.
A guide has also been created for students, where they can find all the assistance they may be eligible for regarding mental health, housing access, menstrual poverty, and employability. "So we really try to be, beyond a matchmaking platform, also a listening association for students and a big family,” emphasizes Florian Rippert.
"That's what’s great too, and it motivates us to continue, is that these students are considered family members by the donors".
"Civic engagement today is truly the strength of the StudHelp project. And it’s clear that people are very generous in France and always want to help students in need, despite inflation. Every year, we have thousands and thousands of new donors signing up,” concludes Florian Rippert.
