France Volontaires

What France Volontaires does

France Volontaires is a French public interest grouping (Groupement d'Intérêt Public, or GIP) operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) as the official French platform for international volunteer exchange and solidarity (Volontariat International d'Échange et de Solidarité, VIES). Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Ivry-sur-Seine, the organization convenes the French State, territorial collectivities (regions, departments, municipalities), and civil society associations around a single coordination framework. It aggregates 80+ member organizations, maintains 15 Espaces Volontariats across four continents (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceania), and operates in 73 countries of intervention. Its core volunteer programs include the Service Civique International, Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI), Corps Européen de Solidarité (CES), Chantiers Internationaux, Volontariat Senior, Congé de Solidarité Internationale, JSI/VVV-SI youth programs, and reciprocal volunteering arrangements.

The platform is built on a standard web-based architecture (france-volontaires.org) hosting program information, mission listings, publications, and a quiz-based volunteer matching tool, available in French, English, and Spanish. It does not develop proprietary software or hardware; its value is delivered through human-coordinated networks rather than technology differentiation. Revenue is non-commercial: France Volontaires is funded primarily by the MEAE and other government ministries (Agriculture, Education, Overseas Territories), public agencies (Agence du Service Civique, AFD, FONJEP), territorial collectivities, and member organization contributions. Individual volunteers receive indemnities funded by their respective programs (VSI, Service Civique), and the platform does not charge fees for volunteer access. Approximately 2,000 people per year engage in VSI, >10,000 young people have cumulatively experienced international Service Civique, and 222 young people from 38 nationalities participated in reciprocity placements in 2023.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging the website, six social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), a monthly Lettr'info newsletter, public events (Solidays, Studyrama career fairs, Africa Forward Summit), webinars, and partnerships with French ministries and regional/local authorities. Customer segments span young volunteers (18–30), senior volunteers, corporate employees on Congé de Solidarité, and territorial authorities. Recent strategic emphasis has been on bidirectional reciprocity (allowing foreign nationals to volunteer in France) and alignment with the UN's 2026 International Year of Volunteering.

Name

France Volontaires

Legal name

France Volontaires

Website

https://france-volontaires.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

France Volontaires is the French public-interest platform (GIP) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that coordinates international volunteer exchange and solidarity, serving young volunteers, senior volunteers, member associations, and territorial authorities across 73 countries via 15 international volunteer spaces and 80+ member organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International volunteering and civic service coordination

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies (HLAJAKAB)

Keywords

• International volunteering programs
• Civic service coordination
• Volunteer matching platform
• Solidarity missions abroad
• Development cooperation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ivry-sur-seine

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public funding and membership contributions: France Volontaires is a Groupement d'Intérêt Public (GIP) financed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), other government ministries (Agriculture, Education, Overseas Territories), territorial collectivities (regions, departments), and public agencies such as the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Member organizations contribute to the platform's operations. Individual volunteers receive indemnities funded by the relevant programs (e.g., VSI indemnities from MEAE, Service Civique indemnities from the Agence du Service Civique). France Volontaires does not charge fees to individual volunteers for platform access.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

France Volontaires is a public interest grouping (GIP) that operates the official French platform for international volunteer exchange and solidarity (VIES). It coordinates a portfolio of distinct volunteer programs — Service Civique International, Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI), Corps Européen de Solidarité (CES), Chantiers Internationaux, Volontariat Senior, Congé de Solidarité, JSI/VVV-SI youth projects, and Reciprocal Volunteering — under one umbrella. Its core service is matching individual volunteers with host organizations abroad (and foreign volunteers in France), supporting them through pre-departure training, in-country accompaniment, and return integration.

Product overview

France Volontaires operates as a unified platform for international volunteer exchange and solidarity (VIES), bringing together the core coordination platform with multiple distinct volunteer programs under its umbrella. The main web platform serves as the central hub for connecting volunteers with opportunities, while specific programs include Service Civique International, Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI), Chantiers Internationaux, Corps Européen de Solidarité (CES), Volontariat Senior, Congé de Solidarité Internationale, JSI-VVVSI youth programs, and Reciprocal Volunteering. The organization also maintains an international network of Espaces Volontariats across multiple continents and publishes research and resources on volunteering. The platform is backed by a group of public institutions, territorial authorities, and associations coordinated by France Volontaires.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plateforme France Volontaires Central web platform (france-volontaires.org) that serves as the official French hub for international volunteer exchange and solidarity (VIES), connecting individual volunteers with missions across all programs, publishing resources and news, and coordinating member organisations across 73+ countries.
• Service Civique International International civic service program allowing young people aged 18-25 (up to 30 for those with disabilities) to complete 6-12 month missions, with at least 3 months abroad. Topics include education, solidarity, international development, culture, environment, health, and sport.
• Volontariat de Solidarité Internationale (VSI) Long-term international solidarity volunteering (12-24 months, max 6 years total) supported by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, engaging approximately 2,000 persons per year, predominantly young professionals (Bac+5 level) assigned to sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
• Chantiers Internationaux Short to medium-term international volunteer workcamps organised in groups for all ages (construction, restoration, cultural, artistic, or educational activities); in 2023 the Cotravaux network facilitated 793 workcamp volunteers and 231 international placements.
• Corps Européen de Solidarité (CES) European Solidarity Corps program allowing young people aged 18-30 to volunteer for 2-12 months across EU member states and partner countries, including a humanitarian volunteer component for ages 18-35.
• Volontariat Senior Short-term expert volunteering program for retired professionals with specific skills, carried by member organisations AGIRabcd and GREF (579 missions in 70 countries in 2017 alone).
• Congé de Solidarité Internationale Expert/competence-exchange volunteering for employees allowing 2 weeks to 6 months of leave for international aid missions, including 'Congé Solidaire' by Planète Urgence and negotiated company solidarity leave.
• JSI-VVVSI (Jeunesse Solidarité Internationale) Youth international solidarity projects and Ville Vie Vacances-Solidarité Internationale (VVV-SI) programs for groups of 4-16 young people aged 15-25; 1,245 young people benefited in 2023 with top destinations including Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Madagascar, and Cameroon.
• Volontariat en Réciprocité Reciprocal volunteering program allowing foreign nationals to complete missions in France (222 young people from 38 nationalities did so in 2023) alongside 59 first VSI reciprocity missions developed in France.
• Espaces Volontariats (International Network) International network of 15 volunteer spaces deployed across four continents — Africa (15 countries), Asia (5 countries), the Americas (2 countries), and Oceania (Vanuatu) — providing on-the-ground support, mission accompaniment and reciprocity facilitation.
• Publications et Ressources Open-access library of key statistics, annual activity reports, thematic studies (e.g., on diasporas and volunteering, VSI impact evaluations), newsletters, and the 'Parlons peu, parlons V.I.E.S' webinar series.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11 international volunteer missions facilitated in 2023
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026France Volontaires and OFII renewed their partnership to accompany the return of international volunteers. The partnership focuses on supporting volunteers' reintegration after their international missions.
• Régions de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Régions de France and France Volontaires renewed their partnership to strengthen international volunteering in French territories. This partnership supports regional authorities in developing international action through volunteering programs.
• French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Volontaires is an official operator of the MEAE. The Ministry provides core funding and strategic direction for the platform's mission to develop and promote international volunteering for exchange and solidarity.
• French Ministry of Agriculture and FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP, contributing to the platform's governance and program development in agricultural and rural development volunteering contexts.
• French Ministry of National Education and YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP, contributing to youth-oriented volunteering programs including Service Civique international.
• French Ministry of Overseas TerritoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP, supporting the specific needs of French overseas territories in international volunteering and cross-border mobility.
• French Development Agency (AFD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP. AFD contributes financing and strategic alignment to development-focused volunteering programs.
• Agence du Service CiviqueflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Volontaires is a founding member of the Agence du Service Civique. The agency manages the Service Civique program and its international dimension, with France Volontaires contributing to project evaluation.
• European Union (via Erasmus+ Youth & Sport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Solidarity Corps (CES) is implemented in France by the Agence du Service Civique on behalf of the European Commission. France Volontaires supports the dissemination and implementation of CES in France.
• FONJEP (Fonds de Coopération de la Jeunesse et de l'Education Populaire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFONJEP manages funding for JSI and VVV-SI youth solidarity programs, providing co-financing (up to €10,000 for metropolitan associations and €11,500 for overseas/Corsica). France Volontaires directs prospective volunteers and organizations to FONJEP funding.
• Reciprocity program partners (national volunteering agencies in ~20 African countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Volontaires works in close partnership with national volunteering agencies in approximately 20 African countries to develop reciprocal exchange programs, enabling foreign volunteers to come to France and French volunteers to go abroad.
• Regions of France (collective body)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegions de France is a member of the France Volontaires GIP, representing French regional councils in the platform's governance and international volunteering initiatives.
• Assemblée des Départements de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP, representing French departmental councils.
• Cités Unies France (CUF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the France Volontaires GIP, representing French municipalities engaged in international cooperation.
• EnLAzando, PrODDige, WECCEE (reciprocity programs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamed reciprocal volunteering programs led by France Volontaires and its members, facilitating bidirectional volunteer exchanges between France and partner countries.
• Planète UrgenceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation member of France Volontaires. Operates the 'Congé Solidaire' trademarked program allowing employees to take 2–4 weeks of solidarity missions during leave, and offers e-volunteering opportunities.
• Cotravaux (Réseau d'acteurs du travail solidaire)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCotravaux is a France Volontaires member network of voluntary work organizations that coordinates international volunteer workcamps. In 2023, it deployed 793 volunteers and 231 volunteers internationally.
• AGIRabcdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation member of France Volontaires. Specializes in senior volunteering, placing retired professionals in international solidarity missions. In 2017, 579 missions were carried out in 70 countries.
• GREF (Groupement des Etablissements de la Fédération des centres gestionnaires)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization of France Volontaires specializing in senior volunteering missions. Works with retired professionals to deploy them in international development and French language promotion projects.
• ADICE (Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Citoyennes et Européennes)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization of France Volontaires. Sends volunteers on international missions, including VSI reciprocity and online volunteering (VEC) programs.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Agence du Service Civique: Agence du Service Civique is the French public agency governing the Service Civique program, of which France Volontaires is a founding member. It is comparable in mission and beneficiary base, and partially overlaps as a program operator in the international Service Civique space.

Broad incumbents

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): GIZ is the German federal agency for international development cooperation, deploying development volunteers and professionals worldwide. Comparable to France Volontaires as a government-backed platform, though broader in mandate.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency): JICA operates Japan's government-to-government development cooperation, including volunteer programs (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers). It is comparable to France Volontaires in deploying government-funded volunteers in development projects, although at much larger scale.
• Peace Corps (United States): The US Peace Corps is a federal government agency that sends American volunteers abroad for two-year assignments in development, education, health, and environment. It is a structural analog to France Volontaires as a government-backed international volunteer platform, although at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Volonteurope: Volonteurope is a European network linking organizations active in volunteering policy and practice. It is a direct peer in pan-European volunteer policy coordination, member-driven governance, and advocacy for quality standards in international volunteering.
• CCIVS (Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service): CCIVS is a UNESCO-associated network coordinating international voluntary service organizations worldwide. It is a direct peer to France Volontaires as a coordinator of volunteer exchange networks, with overlapping member organizations and a similar platform/governance role.
• Service Civil International (SCI): SCI is a global volunteer-exchange network operating workcamps and long-term volunteering programs across more than 90 countries. SCI's volunteer workcamp model and exchange-based philosophy directly overlap with France Volontaires' Chantiers Internationaux and reciprocity programs.
• Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations: Alliance is a European network of volunteer-sending organizations coordinating short-term international workcamps. Comparable to France Volontaires' Cotravaux network and Chantiers Internationaux segment, with overlapping member organizations.
• Planète Urgence: Planète Urgence is a French association member of France Volontaires that runs the trademarked Congé Solidaire program for employee volunteer leave. It is both a peer (competing for the same volunteer pool and corporate partnerships) and a member/distribution partner of France Volontaires.
• VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas): VSO is a UK-based international development charity that places skilled volunteers in long-term assignments in Africa and Asia. It is the closest direct peer to France Volontaires in mission (skilled international volunteering), funding model (government + public donations), and target demographics (highly educated young professionals and mid-career experts).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FVolontaires
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmgJD5qnv6oDECAGRxEhEmg
• Facebookfacebook.com/FVolontaires
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/france-volontaires/?originalSubdomain=fr
• Instagraminstagram.com/france_volontaires?igshid=NWRhNmQxMjQ=

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about France Volontaires