IFEN

What IFEN does

IFEN (Institut de Formation de l'Economie Sociale) is a private, non-profit professional and higher education institution founded in 1960 and headquartered in Le Havre, France, operating under the governance of AGIFEN within the Social and Solidarity Economy (Economie Sociale et Solidaire). It delivers state-certified diplomas (DEES, DEEJE, DEME, DEAES, DETISF) plus a VAE accompaniment service, preparation programs for competitive entrance exams, and more than 88 thematic continuing education courses for the social, medico-social, and early childhood sectors. It trains more than 2,000 professionals annually, reports a 92% exam success rate (2025) and 94% employability rate at 6 months, and serves students, career changers, employers, and public bodies across Normandy from campuses in Le Havre, Évreux, and Vernon.

IFEN's underlying technology is a multimodal training platform that combines in-person and distance learning, with individual learner spaces and group promotion rooms, supplemented by a documentation center (Cairn digital library, print and media resources). The business model is training-fee based: revenue comes from employer and public funder payments (OPCO, Conseil Régional de Normandie, apprenticeship tax via SoltéA), CPF/Transition Pro/individual financing, and corporate in-company training. Pricing is program-specific (e.g., DEME = €12,350 per pathway, €50 selection interview fee). Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored by an annual Open Day (~400 visitors in February 2026), Parcoursup for initial training recruitment, FODENO 'Café des Formations' events, digital presence (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), and the institutional website.

The institution holds Qualiopi certification for training actions and VAE validation, is recognized by the Ministry of National Education and Youth, and maintains an Erasmus+ charter (2021-2027) for international mobility. Operations are anchored in three Normandy sites with delivery partnerships (CFA PSS for apprenticeships, Association La Ronce and CRJS for site delivery), and a denser regional ecosystem of institutional partners (AGIFEN, Région Normandie, EHESP, Université du Havre, CerSo, ETTIC Interim, MAIF, FODENO, AHLOET).

Name

IFEN

Legal name

IFEN (Institut de Formation de l'Economie Sociale)

Website

https://ifen-formation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFEN is a French non-profit training institution in Le Havre that delivers state-certified diplomas, VAE accompaniment, and thematic continuing education for the social, medico-social, and early childhood sectors, training more than 2,000 professionals annually across three Normandy sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Vocational Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAH

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Social work training
• Professional certifications
• Continuing education
• Early childhood education
• Medico-social training

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Havre

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Training fees funded by employers and public bodies: Revenue is generated through training fees paid by employers, regional councils, and public funding bodies (OPCO, Conseil Régional de Normandie). The institution also receives contributions from the apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage). Fees vary by program and funding source.
2. Individual participant fees: Candidates and individual participants may contribute to costs, with financing available through CPF, Transition Pro, Region Normandie, and employer co-funding.
3. VAE accompaniment fees: Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE) accompaniment services billed to candidates, with financing options via CPF, employer, Transition Pro, or Region Normandie.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IFEN (Institut de Formation de l'Economie Sociale) is a professional and higher education institution located in Le Havre, France, that delivers state-certified diplomas (DEES, DEEJE, DEME, DEAES, DETISF) at levels 3 to 7 in social work, early childhood education, and medico-social care support professions. The institution complements these qualifying programs with VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) accompaniment, over 88 thematic continuing education modules, Erasmus+ international mobility, and dedicated disability support, serving more than 2,000 students and professionals annually across three sites in Normandy.

Product overview

IFEN (Institut de Formation de l'Economie Sociale et Solidaire) offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional training programs and educational services. The core offering consists of five state-certified diplomas: Diplôme d'État d'Éducateur Spécialisé (DEES), Diplôme d'État d'Éducateur de Jeunes Enfants (DEEJE), Diplôme d'État de Moniteur Éducateur (DEME, Level 4), Diplôme d'État d'Accompagnant Éducatif et Social (DEAES), and Diplôme d'État de Technicien de l'Intervention Sociale et Familiale (DETISF). Supporting services include VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) accompaniment, over 88 thematic continuing education courses for social sector professionals, an Erasmus+ international mobility program, and a documentation center. IFEN operates as a multimodal training center combining in-person and distance learning, with locations across Normandy including Le Havre, Évreux, and Vernon. The institution reports a 92% overall success rate, 94% employability rate at 6 months, and has trained over 2,000 professionals annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diplôme d'État d'Éducateur Spécialisé (DEES) A state-certified diploma (Level 6/BAC+3) preparing students for specialized education roles working with individuals and families in social difficulty. Targeted at aspiring specialized educators in the French social work sector.
• Diplôme d'État d'Éducateur de Jeunes Enfants (DEEJE) A state-certified diploma (Level 6/BAC+3) training professionals to work with young children and support families in early childhood education. Targeted at aspiring early childhood educators.
• Diplôme d'État de Moniteur Éducateur (DEME) A state-certified diploma (Level 4/BAC) spanning 2 years (950 hours theory, 1050 hours practice) preparing professionals to ensure animation, prevention, and education functions for adults and youth in difficulty or with disabilities. Priced at €12,350 for full course, with €50 selection interview fee.
• Diplôme d'État d'Accompagnant Éducatif et Social (DEAES) A state-certified diploma offered across multiple sites in Normandy (Le Havre, Évreux, Vernon) training professionals to support vulnerable individuals in daily life activities and promote autonomy. Available to employees, apprentices, and career changers, financed via CPF and Transition Pro.
• Diplôme d'État de Technicien de l'Intervention Sociale et Familiale (DETISF) A state-certified diploma training professionals for social and family intervention roles in the French social sector.
• Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE) Accompagnement Comprehensive VAE accompaniment service helping candidates validate professional experience toward official certifications, with individualized support from dossier construction through jury presentation. Financing available via CPF, employer, Transition Pro, or Conseil Régional de Normandie; 90% satisfaction rate in 2024 with 50% full validation and 50% partial validation outcomes.
• Formations Thématiques (Continuing Education) Over 88 thematic professional training programs for social, medico-social, and early childhood sectors, covering areas including child development, disability support, management, and social exclusion prevention. Offered to organizations and individuals as thematic in-company and open training courses.
• Mobilité Internationale (Erasmus+) International mobility program with Erasmus+ charter (2021-2027) enabling students in ES and EJE programs to complete professional internships abroad during their third semester, with past placements in Portugal and Canada.
• Prépa Concours Preparatory programs for competitive entrance exams to social work professions, supporting candidates seeking admission to qualifying training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% overall exam success rate across all qualifying and certifying programs in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AGIFEN (Association Gestionnaire de l'IFEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGIFEN is the governing association that manages and operates IFEN. It positions IFEN as an actor of the Social and Solidarity Economy (Economie Sociale et Solidaire) providing training actions across the territory.
• Région NormandiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Normandy Region co-funds 15 training places per Moniteur Éducateur cohort and supports regional training initiatives, appearing prominently in IFEN's institutional communications.
• CFA PSS (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis des Professions Sanitaires et Sociales)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCFA PSS is a key partner for delivering apprenticeship pathways for social and healthcare qualifications, with joint participation in open days and information sessions.
• Erasmus+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFEN holds an Erasmus+ charter (2021-2027) enabling international mobility for students in ES and EJE programs. Students have completed placements in Portugal and Canada, with accompaniment provided throughout the project.
• Campus Le Havre NormandiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFEN is a member of Campus Le Havre Normandie, a consortium of higher education institutions in the Le Havre territory, fostering collaborative projects and institutional visibility.
• Rectorat de NormandieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Normandy Academy participates in exam organization and certification for state diplomas delivered by IFEN, including the DEME examinations.
• EHESP (Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an institutional partner, EHESP is a public school of public health that may collaborate on program development or recognition in the health-social sector.
• Université du HavreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Le Havre is listed as an institutional partner, potentially collaborating on academic pathways or shared facilities within the Campus Le Havre Normandie.
• UnaforisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnaforis is a national network of social work training institutions. IFEN's membership provides access to a broader network of best practices and sector coordination.
• CerSominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCerSo appears as a partner organization in IFEN's institutional communications, likely operating in the social or medico-social sector.
• MAIFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAIF, a mutual insurance company, appears as a partner in IFEN's institutional network, potentially supporting training or providing student benefits.
• Le Campus Polytechnique des Territoires MaritimesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner, this campus consortium collaborates with IFEN on territorial development and training initiatives in the maritime territories.
• FODENOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFODENO organizes 'Café des Formations' events hosted by IFEN, bringing together 17+ professionals and partners to learn about IFEN's training offerings including ES, EJE, ME, TISF, and AES programs.
• AHLOET (Association Havraise pour le Logement Etudiant)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHLOET supports student housing in Le Havre and appears as a partner in IFEN's institutional network, contributing to student welfare services.
• ETTIC InterimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerETTIC Interim appears as a partner in IFEN's institutional network, likely related to interim employment and professional integration in the social sector.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Campus Le Havre Normandie: Campus Le Havre Normandie is the local consortium of higher education institutions of which IFEN is a member. It is an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor but is relevant as a peer for institutional visibility and student recruitment in the same territory.
• Unaforis: Unaforis is the national network of French social work training institutions of which IFEN is a member. It serves as an industry association and coordination body, making it a sector-level peer for benchmarking IFEN's positioning.

Regional players

• Université du Havre: The Université du Havre is a listed institutional partner of IFEN and offers academic pathways in social sciences and education that overlap with IFEN's higher-level diplomas (levels 6-7), making it a regional academic competitor for student recruitment.
• ARIFOR: ARIFOR is a Normandy-based social work training institution offering qualifying and certifying diplomas, overlapping with IFEN's core programs and serving a similar geography in social and medico-social sectors.

Direct peers

• IRTS Hauts-de-France: IRTS Hauts-de-France is one of France's regional social work training institutes offering state diplomas (DEES, DEEJE, DEME, DEAES) and continuing education, directly comparable to IFEN's portfolio and structure.
• ASKORIA: ASKORIA is a French école de travail social offering state-certified diplomas and continuing education across social work, similar to IFEN's portfolio (ES, EJE, ME, etc.). It operates as a comparable regional training institution within the broader French social work education network.
• EFTS (École de Formation en Travail Social): EFTS delivers state-certified social work diplomas and continuing education across multiple French regions, with a comparable program mix to IFEN (DEES, DEEJE, DEAES) and similar employer-funded training model.

Broad incumbents

• Croix-Rouge Compétence: Croix-Rouge Compétence is the training arm of the French Red Cross, operating a national network of social work and healthcare training centers. It overlaps with IFEN in social sector diplomas and has broader geographic reach as a major national incumbent.
• EHESP: EHESP is France's leading public school of public health, listed as an institutional partner of IFEN. It competes in higher education pathways for health and social sector professionals, particularly at Master's level (levels 6-7) that overlap with IFEN's IDESS program.
• AFPA: AFPA is France's leading national vocational training provider, offering continuing education and qualifying programs across many sectors. While broader than IFEN, AFPA competes for employer-funded training budgets and individual CPF enrollees in overlapping social and care-related programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ifenformation9754/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifen
• Instagraminstagram.com/ifen_formation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IFEN