Udapei The White Butterflies of the North
French non-profit association founded in 1960 in Lille, supporting people with intellectual disabilities through 9 federated associations, 220 medico-social establishments, and 6,500 employees across the Nord department, serving 12,000 beneficiaries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersLille, France
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Udapei The White Butterflies of the North does
Udapei "Les Papillons Blancs du Nord" is a French non-profit association (operating under the loi de 1901) founded in 1960 in Lille, headquartered in the Nord department. Its functional mission is the accompaniment and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through a federated model that brings together 9 member associations, operates 220 establishments and services, and engages 6,500 employees alongside 3,000 members and volunteers. The organization accompanies 12,000 people across medico-social, educational, occupational, accommodation, and supported-employment settings. It sits within the broader UNAPEI national federation.
Its service portfolio includes medico-professional institutes (IMPro de Wahagnies), medical-social accommodation structures (MAS de Thumeries), special education and home-care services (SESSAD de la Pévèle), supported employment programs (Emploi Accompagné), and personalized accompaniment services (PAS). The organization has invested in digital service infrastructure including the D'PHipro platform, the Ma S@nté 2.0 health-accessibility tool, and the L'Art de la Différence Virtual Museum. The principal underlying technology approach is digital accessibility tooling centered on the FALC (Facile à Lire et à Comprendre / Easy-to-Read-and-Understand) methodology rather than artificial intelligence systems.
The business model is non-commercial: operations are financed through French public-sector subsidies rather than fee-bearing revenue. Primary counterparties are the Agence Régionale de Santé Hauts-de-France (ARS), Conseil Départemental du Nord, AGEFIPH, CAF du Nord, MDPH du Nord, and FIPHFP. Distribution of services is via physical establishments rather than a transactional sales motion. Notable partnerships include La Poste (corporate inclusion), Université de Mons (European project), and the regional network of disability/public bodies.
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Udapei The White Butterflies of the North
- Legal name
- Union Départementale des Associations de Parents d'Enfants Inadaptés (UDAPEI) Papillons Blancs du Nord
- Website
- https://udapei59.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- French non-profit association founded in 1960 in Lille, supporting people with intellectual disabilities through 9 federated associations, 220 medico-social establishments, and 6,500 employees across the Nord department, serving 12,000 beneficiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Medico-Social Services
- NAICS
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)
Keywords
Where Udapei The White Butterflies of the North is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lille
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public Funding and Subsidies: As a non-profit association under the law of July 1, 1901, Udapei operates primarily through public funding, government subsidies, and institutional financing from organizations including ARS Hauts-de-France, the Department of Nord, and other public bodies. Revenue supports the operation of establishments and services for people with disabilities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Udapei Les Papillons Blancs du Nord is a departmental union that operates social and medico-social establishments and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Nord department of France. It directly runs a vocational training institute (IMPro de Wahagnies), a specialized residential care home (MAS de Thumeries), and a home-based special education service (SESSAD de la Pévèle), while federating 9 member associations that collectively manage 220 establishments and services.
Product overview
Udapei Les Papillons Blancs du Nord is a departmental union managing social and medico-social establishments and services for people with disabilities. The organization operates a portfolio of core services including residential care facilities (MAS de Thumeries), vocational training institutes (IMPro de Wahagnies), and home-based support services (SESSAD de la Pévèle), complemented by supported employment programs (Emploi Accompagné, PAS). The organization also runs digital platforms including the L'Art de la Différence virtual museum for accessible art, the D'PHipro employment platform, and the Ma S@nté 2.0 digital health initiative.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- L'Art de la Différence: Virtual museum showcasing artwork created by artists with disabilities, promoting inclusion and celebrating difference. Launched in 2021, it features 150+ artworks in an immersive digital environment accessible to all.
- Ma S@nté 2.0
Products and services
- IMPro de Wahagnies (Institut Médico-Professionnel) Medico-educational institute for young people aged 14-20 with intellectual disabilities, providing both general education and vocational training.
- MAS de Thumeries (Maison d'Accueil Spécialisée) Specialized residential care home for adults with disabilities who require constant medical supervision and assistance with daily activities.
- SESSAD de la Pévèle (Service d'Éducation Spéciale et de Soins À Domicile) Special education and home care service supporting children and adolescents aged 0-20 years with disabilities, helping them maintain their natural living environment (home, school) while receiving therapeutic and educational support.
- L'Art de la Différence Virtual Museum A virtual museum in 3D/CGI featuring 150+ artworks created by artists with disabilities, designed to be accessible to all and promote inclusion through art.
- D'PHipro Platform Online platform co-constructed by Papillons Blancs associations to facilitate employment access for people with disabilities in the Nord territory, connecting job seekers with employers and showcasing the expertise of Adapted Enterprises and ESAT.
- Dispositif Emploi Accompagné (DEA) - Supported Employment Service A device providing support for people with disabilities to obtain and maintain paid employment in the open labor market, including both employee support and employer assistance.
- Prestation d'Appui Spécifique (PAS) Expert disability service identifying the consequences of disability regarding a person's professional project and means to compensate for them, prescribed by employment counselors.
- Ma S@nté 2.0 A multi-partner initiative to prevent and support health needs of people with disabilities, including innovative actions, training, and diagnostic tools for health needs assessment, prevention, and wellness information.
- Services d'Aide et d'Accompagnement à la Parentalité (SAAP) Services providing support and accompaniment to parents of people with disabilities, helping families navigate care systems and exercise their parental role.
Companies that use Udapei The White Butterflies of the North
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- La PostecorePartnership to create post office relays (relais poste) within ESAT establishments, promoting inclusion of people with disabilities through professional activities. Three locations established: Dunkerque (April 2025), Douai (July 2025), and Marcq-en-Barœul (forthcoming). Also includes collaboration on digital inclusion initiatives.
- Rotary Clubs de Lille La Madeleine and d'Armentières Val de LyssupportingPartners in the construction of the inclusive playground (Aire de Jeux des 5 Tailles) at MAS de Thumeries, an 850m² accessible play area open to all.
- Fondation FDJ (Française des Jeux)supportingFoundation partner supporting the inclusive playground project at MAS de Thumeries.
- Tape à l'œil FoundationsupportingFoundation partner supporting the inclusive playground project at MAS de Thumeries.
- Fondation du NordsupportingRegional foundation partner supporting the inclusive playground project at MAS de Thumeries.
- Groupe APICILsupportingCorporate partner supporting the inclusive playground project at MAS de Thumeries.
- RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité)supportingCorporate partner supporting the inclusive playground project at MAS de Thumeries.
- Département du NordcoreDepartmental council providing ongoing support and funding for Udapei's establishments and services, including co-funding of the inclusive playground.
- ARS Hauts-de-FrancecoreRegional Health Agency providing institutional funding and support for health-related projects including Ma S@nté 2.0 and other disability support initiatives.
- Université de MonscoreLead research institution for the European Interreg I neeD project, developing evaluation scales for health support needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Association Nous AussicoreSelf-advocacy association for people with disabilities collaborating on the L'Art de la Différence virtual museum project. Moïse Bouet serves as Vice-President representing the association in the virtual museum.
- Papillons Blancs de CambraicoreMember association participating in the I neeD European project for health support evaluation.
- Papillons Blancs de DunkerquecoreMember association participating in the I neeD European project for health support evaluation.
- Papillons Blancs de ValenciennescoreMember association participating in the I neeD European project for health support evaluation.
- UNAPEIcoreNational union of associations for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Udapei is affiliated to this recognized public utility organization.
- AGEFIPHsupportingAssociation managing the fund for integration of people with disabilities, providing support and funding for employment of people with disabilities.
- CAF du NordsupportingCaisse d'Allocations Familiales du Nord providing family allowances and financial support services for people with disabilities and their families.
- MDPH du NordcoreMaison Départementale des Persons Handicapées providing single-point access to rights and services for people with disabilities in the Nord department.
- FIPHFPsupportingFund for Integration of People with Disabilities in Public Service, supporting employment of people with disabilities in public sector.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- APF France Handicap: One of France's largest disability associations operating establishments and services across multiple disability types; comparable as a national-scale non-profit managing residential, employment, and advocacy programs for people with disabilities.
- UNAPEI: National federation of associations for people with intellectual disabilities and their families — the parent organization of Udapei Les Papillons Blancs du Nord and the closest comparable in terms of mission, federated structure, and advocacy scope.
- Croix-Rouge française: Major French non-profit operating a broad range of social and medico-social establishments, including disability services — comparable as a large-scale French non-profit provider of subsidized care services funded by public authorities.
- Mutualité Française: French non-profit network operating health and social establishments, including services for people with disabilities — comparable in operating model (federated, public-funded service delivery) and target populations.
Direct peers
- ADAPEI de l'Ain: Another departmental Papillons Blancs association managing residential facilities, employment services, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities in the Ain department — directly comparable in service portfolio and target population.
- ADAPEI 35 (Papillons Blancs d'Ille-et-Vilaine): Departmental Papillons Blancs association in another French department (Ille-et-Vilaine) operating the same federated model of establishments, services, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities — a near-identical peer in structure and offerings.
Regional players
- Les Tout-Petits: Smaller French disability-focused association offering specialized services for children with disabilities; comparable in non-profit service delivery model though smaller in scale and more narrowly focused on pediatric support.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North social profiles
Digital presenceUdapei The White Butterflies of the North financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Udapei The White Butterflies of the North
What does Udapei The White Butterflies of the North do?
Udapei Les Papillons Blancs du Nord is a departmental union that operates social and medico-social establishments and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Nord department of France. It directly runs a vocational training institute (IMPro de Wahagnies), a specialized residential care home (MAS de Thumeries), and a home-based special education service (SESSAD de la Pévèle), while federating 9 member associations that collectively manage 220 establishments and services.
Is Udapei The White Butterflies of the North a public or private company?
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Udapei The White Butterflies of the North founded?
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North was founded in 1960. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Udapei The White Butterflies of the North based?
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North is headquartered in Lille, France, in the Europe region.
How does Udapei The White Butterflies of the North make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Funding and Subsidies.
Who are Udapei The White Butterflies of the North's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are APF France Handicap, UNAPEI, Croix-Rouge française and Mutualité Française. Direct peers are ADAPEI de l'Ain and ADAPEI 35 (Papillons Blancs d'Ille-et-Vilaine). Les Tout-Petits is listed as a regional player.
Does Udapei The White Butterflies of the North have an API?
No public API is recorded for Udapei The White Butterflies of the North.
What industry is Udapei The White Butterflies of the North in?
Udapei The White Butterflies of the North's product category is Disability and Medico-Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult). Its NAICS code is 62321 and its SIC code is 8300.