Franco-Quebec Youth Office

What Franco-Quebec Youth Office does

OFQJ (Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse) is a non-profit bi-governmental organization founded in 1968 to facilitate youth mobility between France and Quebec. It operates under joint governance of the French and Quebec governments, co-chaired by the respective ministers responsible for youth and international relations, with offices in Saint-Denis (France), Montreal, and Quebec City. The organization serves approximately 10,000 young adults aged 18-35 annually and has supported over 150,000 participants since its founding, operating two multidisciplinary teams of roughly 20 professionals each.

The core offering is a portfolio of structured mobility programs: internship programs for job seekers (in partnership with France Travail), international civic service missions of 6-11 months, entrepreneurship and economic development delegations, cultural cooperation programs (including the Odyssart sub-program offering €20,000-€30,000 per artistic project), and financial aid for student internships (€200) and vocational training (€300). Supporting these are the Totem online platform for participant management and applications, and the AKI competency assessment tool (developed with Erasmus+ funding) to quantify social competencies gained during mobility. The organization provides comprehensive accompaniment including work permit assistance through the EIC framework, insurance (Chapka), airline discounts (Air Transat, Air Canada), and banking (Desjardins).

The revenue model is grant-based rather than commercial: OFQJ receives operational funding from both the French and Quebec governments, disburses financial aid to participants from multi-partner arrangements (OFQJ, France Travail, host companies, territorial collectivities), and generates no direct user fees. Programs are distributed through institutional partnerships with France Travail, Missions Locales (UNML), educational institutions, CIDJ, and the Quebec counterpart LOJIQ, with direct-to-consumer touchpoints via the Totem platform, social media, newsletters, and information workshops.

Name

Franco-Quebec Youth Office

Legal name

Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse

Website

https://ofqj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OFQJ is a bi-governmental non-profit founded in 1968 that facilitates youth mobility between France and Quebec by funding and coordinating internship, civic service, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange programs for approximately 10,000 young adults aged 18-35 annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mobility Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gap Year + Study Abroad Hybrid Programs (EDAIAAAG), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) (BPADAKAD)

Keywords

• Youth mobility programs
• International internships
• Civic service missions
• Cultural exchange programs
• Bilateral cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-denis

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a bi-governmental organization, OFQJ receives operational funding from both the French and Quebec governments. The organization is governed by a board of directors with French and Quebec members, co-chaired by the Quebec Minister of International Relations and Francophonie and the French Minister in charge of Youth.
2. Participant Financial Support: The organization provides financial support to participants rather than generating revenue. Funding comes from multi-partner arrangements involving OFQJ, France Travail, hosting structures, and territorial collectivities. Financial support includes ARE maintenance for job seekers, RFFT payments, mobility grants of 200-800 euros, and stipends of minimum 800 CAD per month from host companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OFQJ is a bi-governmental non-profit organization that coordinates youth mobility programs between France and Quebec for individuals aged 18-35. Its offerings include professional internship programs for job seekers (in partnership with France Travail), international civic service missions, cultural and artistic cooperation programs (including Odyssart), entrepreneurship and economic development support, study-trip financing, and vocational training aid. Financial support ranges from 200 EUR for student internships to 20,000-30,000 EUR for collaborative cultural projects, complemented by administrative assistance with work permits, insurance, and pre/post-departure accompaniment.

Product overview

The Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse (OFQJ) is a bi-governmental youth mobility organization that operates a unified platform of programs facilitating professional and citizen mobility between France and Quebec for young adults aged 18-35. The core offering consists of structured mobility programs: Stage pour demandeurs d'emploi (internship program for job seekers with France Travail partnership), Missions de service civique international (international civic service missions), Coopération professionnelle et culturelle (cultural cooperation with Odyssart sub-program), and Entrepreneuriat et développement économique (entrepreneurship support). Supporting these are financial aid programs for study-related internships (200€), vocational training (300€), and study trips (up to 200€/person). The organization provides comprehensive accompaniment through information workshops, work permit assistance (EIC program), insurance partnerships (Chapka Mobilité+), travel benefits (Air Transat, Air Canada), banking services (Desjardins), and post-mobility support tools including the AKI competency assessment tool. The Totem platform serves as the digital portal for project management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Odyssart: Annual cultural exchange project program between France and Canada/Québec for young artists aged 18-35, offering financial aid between €20,000 and €30,000 for collaborative projects
• Stage Coop International
• Prix OFQJ des Audacieuses
• Prix Premiers pas à l'export

Products and services

• Stage pour demandeurs d'emploi (Internship for Job Seekers) Professional internship program for French job seekers aged 18-35 lasting 2-6 months in Quebec or French-speaking Canada, with financial support and accompaniment through partnership with France Travail.
• Missions de service civique international (International Civic Service Missions) International civic service missions for young French people aged 18-25 (30 if disabled) lasting 6-11 months in Quebec, Canada, Latin America, Africa and Caribbean, approved by the Agence du Service Civique. Includes monthly indemnities, insurance coverage, and round-trip airfare.
• Coopération professionnelle et culturelle (Professional and Cultural Cooperation) Program supporting young cultural professionals, artists, and creative industry workers in their mobility projects to Quebec through thematic missions at international events.
• Odyssart Annual cultural exchange program supporting French-Canadian artistic collaboration projects with financial aid between 20,000 EUR and 30,000 EUR for artists aged 18-35 between France and Canada/Quebec.
• Entrepreneuriat et développement économique (Entrepreneurship and Economic Development) Program supporting young entrepreneurs and business creators in their first steps internationally through co-financing and accompaniment for mobility projects to Quebec and French-speaking regions.
• Aide financière pour un stage lié aux études (Financial Aid for Study-Related Internships) Financial aid of 200 EUR for French students conducting internships in Quebec for 1-12 months as part of their studies, requiring a tripartite internship agreement.
• Aide financière pour une formation professionnelle (Financial Aid for Vocational Training) Financial support of 300 EUR for French job seekers, students, or those in career transition for diploma-granting vocational training programs in Quebec. Limited to three uses total per lifetime.
• Voyages d'études (Study Trips) Co-financing program for educational institutions organizing study trips to Quebec for groups of students aged 18-35, with financial aid up to 200 EUR per young person.
• Séjour de remobilisation professionnelle (Professional Re-engagement Stay) Collective reintegration program for young people aged 18-35 followed by youth support structures (Missions Locales), offering professional and cultural immersion stays in Quebec lasting 10-15 days.
• Permis de travail EIC (EIC Work Permits Administrative Support) Work permit services under the International Experience Canada program (Stage Coop International, Young Professional, Working Holiday), guiding French nationals aged 18-35 through the application process.
• Outil AKI (AKI Competency Assessment Tool) Competency assessment tool developed with European Erasmus+ funding to help participants quantify and valorize social competencies (open-mindedness, adaptability, interpersonal skills, responsibility, self-confidence) developed during their international mobility experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000 youth supported annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• AIRF (Association Internationale des Régions Francophones)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026OFQJ participates in Francophone economic meetings organized by AIRF, including 2026 session in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, promoting youth entrepreneurship in the Francophone world.
• Union Nationale des Missions Locales (UNML)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Renewed partnership in October 2024 with UNML and RCJEQ (Réseau des Carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec) for collective mobility projects enabling approximately 100 young people annually to depart for Quebec through their local Mission Locale.
• France Travail (formerly Pole Emploi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for job seeker internship program enabling ARE maintenance during mobility, RFFT payments for non-indemnified job seekers, and co-financing of participant mobility costs. Multi-partner financing model involving OFQJ, France Travail, hosting companies, and territorial collectivities.
• Fondation DRGflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Annual partnership supporting the Odyssart cultural exchange program with 20,000-30,000 euros in financial aid awarded to collaborative Franco-Canadian artistic projects for young artists aged 18-35.
• Le Figaro CanadaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership providing OFQJ participants with access to digital version of Le Figaro Canada special Canada edition, offering information about Canadian provinces, installation tips, and testimonials.
• CIDJ (Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint workshops in Paris to guide youth in building orientation and training projects, discovering professions, job searching, and international mobility planning. Free, registration required.
• Bureau d'Immigration du Québec (BIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Information sessions organized by Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion on life, work, studies, and immigration procedures in Quebec. Free sessions available in multiple languages.
• Alliance économique France-QuébecflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-organizer of Rencontres Économiques France Québec, first edition held September 2026 in Montreal. Event dedicated to innovation, artificial intelligence, and economic cooperation between France and Quebec.
• Alliance des Patronats FrancophonescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for organizing Rencontre des Entrepreneurs Francophones (REF), bringing together young Francophone entrepreneurs from multiple continents. 7th edition held in Marrakech, Morocco in 2024.
• HACNUM (Haute Autorité pour la diffusion des œuvres et la protection des droits sur Internet)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Multi-year objectives convention signed between HACNUM and OFQJ for collaboration on digital culture and media arts projects.
• Air TransatcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Airline partnership offering OFQJ participants extra 23kg baggage allowance, free modification and refund according to ticket conditions. Exclusive to participants traveling to Canada and returning to Europe.
• Air CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Airline partnership offering up to 10% discount on flights for participants under 35 traveling to Canada with work permit, study permit, or AVE. Includes 2 bags of 23kg each and free modification before and after departure.
• DesjardinscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Financial services partnership offering bank account opening before departure for participants staying 8+ months. Special offers for new arrivals include free current account with unlimited transactions. OFQJ participants receive personalized support for this important life project.
• Chapka AssurancescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Exclusive insurance partner offering negotiated rates for OFQJ participants. The OFQJ Mobilité+ extended insurance plan covers healthcare, hospitalization, repatriation, and civil liability for Quebec mobility. Available to participants aged 18-35 who have submitted a project application.
• Education Internationale / Québec métiers d'avenircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership offering free registration fees (normally 100 CAD) for French youth pursuing vocational training in Quebec. OFQJ participants benefit from this waiver through the partnership, enabling access to over 90 vocational training programs.
• Agence du Service CiviquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968Government agency that grants approval for international civic service missions. OFQJ holds official agreement to organize international civic service for French youth aged 18-25 (30 for disabilities) in Quebec, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean, and Africa.
• LOJIQ (Offices Jeunesse Internationaux du Québec)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968Quebec counterpart organization for Franco-Québécois youth mobility. Bilateral partnership coordinating programs on both sides of the Atlantic, managing Quebec participant involvement in French programs, and jointly organizing events like Rencontres Économiques France Québec.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• British Council: UK government's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Functions as OFQJ's structural equivalent for UK-foreign bilateral youth and academic exchanges. Both are quasi-governmental bodies delivering mobility programs with ministerial backing and 60+ years of operational history.
• DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst): German Academic Exchange Service, the world's largest funding organization for international academic mobility. Comparable to OFQJ in facilitating international study, research, and internship mobility for young adults, though with a primarily academic focus and significantly larger scale.
• Campus France: French national agency promoting higher education and managing international student mobility. Shares OFQJ's French governmental foundation and target demographic of young adults seeking international experience, though focused on attracting students to France rather than sending French youth abroad.
• Erasmus+ (European Union Youth Programme): Largest supranational youth mobility program globally, operating across EU member states with similar internship, study, and civic service offerings. OFQJ even leveraged Erasmus+ funding to develop the AKI competency assessment tool. Wider geographic scope but same target demographic (18-35) and mobility mission.

Direct peers

• LOJIQ (Offices Jeunesse Internationaux du Québec): Quebec counterpart organization coordinating bilateral youth mobility with France. Operates as OFQJ's mirror entity on the Quebec side, jointly managing programs like Rencontres Économiques France Québec. Same mandate, same participant base, structurally identical to OFQJ.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led organization facilitating international internships, volunteer experiences, and professional exchanges for young adults. Operates in similar segment (18-30 year-olds seeking international professional mobility) with comparable internship placement model, though driven by student volunteers rather than governmental mandate.
• Agence du Service Civique: French government agency that approves and funds all international civic service missions, including OFQJ's Service Civique International programs. Functions as regulator and funder for OFQJ's civic service line, with same target demographic (18-25, 30 for disabilities) and same mission duration (6-11 months).
• WBI (Wallonie-Bruxelles International): Belgian francophone international organization promoting bilateral mobility and cooperation between Wallonie-Bruxelles and foreign Francophone regions. Structurally analogous to OFQJ as a sub-state bilateral youth mobility body with governmental mandate, though serving Belgium rather than France.

Others

• Alliance Française: Global French language and cultural promotion network operating in 130+ countries. While not directly delivering youth mobility programs, shares OFQJ's bilateral Franco-foreign orientation and serves as a complementary infrastructure for cultural and educational exchange. Different mission (language/culture vs. mobility) but adjacent ecosystem role.

Regional players

• Québec Government Office in Paris (Délégation générale du Québec): Official Quebec representation in France handling bilateral relations, economic development, and immigration matters. Co-governs OFQJ on the Quebec side and shares the broader Franco-Québécois mandate, though focused on diplomatic and economic affairs rather than youth mobility specifically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OFQJ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/OFQJenFrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ofqj-france
• Instagraminstagram.com/OFQJ_france
• TikToktiktok.com/@ofqj_france
• Xx.com/ofqj_france

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 Franco-Quebec Youth Office