FRENE
FRENE is a French non-profit association founded in 1983 that operates as the national coordination network for environmental education actors in France, connecting associations, professionals, local governments, and companies through a shared resource platform, training programs, and advocacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersMontpellier, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FRENE does
FRENE (Réseau Français d'Éducation à la Nature et à l'Environnement), formerly known as Réseau École et Nature, is a French non-profit association founded in 1983 and headquartered at 164 rue des Albatros, Montpellier. It operates as the recognized national coordination and resource network for environmental education actors in France, serving individuals, associations, local governments (collectivités), and companies engaged in environmental and sustainability education. The organization addresses fragmentation among environmental education actors by providing a shared platform for pedagogical resources, professional networking, training, and collective advocacy.
The platform is built around a digital hub (frene.org) that hosts a shared resource library (Ressources Partagées) covering biodiversity, climate, water, and social sciences; an Espace Contributeur for member-contributed content; the Kolekti newsletter for industry updates; and recurring professional development programming including Jeudis Thématiques weekly sessions and a national congress. FRENE also operates the S\u00e9jours Nature program (outdoor nature stays), the Formation Professionnelle offering (including DEJEPS and BPJEPS diploma pathways), and the EEDD Observatory dashboard that tracks environmental education indicators. Specialized pedagogical projects include Jeu'Mapi (a serious game for water governance training), Quiz Biodiv, Fresques Locales de l'Eau, Mar'eau, Eco-Parlement des Jeunes, and Enseigner dehors.
The business model is a member-supported non-profit. FRENE generates revenue primarily through tiered membership fees (individuals, associations, collectivités/entreprises), supplemented by training program fees and event-related income. It operates with a lean team of 26 employees and is governed as an independent Association loi 1901 with no parent company or equity backing (SIRET 384 789 319 00082, Code NAF 724). The go-to-market is community-led: growth depends on expanding and retaining members across the four member segments and deepening coordination with regional GRAINE networks and public-sector partners.
FRENE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FRENE
- Legal name
- FRENE
- Website
- https://frene.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FRENE is a French non-profit association founded in 1983 that operates as the national coordination network for environmental education actors in France, connecting associations, professionals, local governments, and companies through a shared resource platform, training programs, and advocacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FRENE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education Network
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)
Keywords
Where FRENE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montpellier
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
FRENE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership fees: FRENE generates revenue through membership fees from individuals, associations, and organizations. The association offers different membership tiers for particuliers, associations, and collectivités/entreprises.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
FRENE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FRENE is a French non-profit association that operates as a national network and coordination hub for environmental education actors in France. It provides shared pedagogical resources, professional training programs (including DEJEPS/BPJEPS diplomas), networking events, a resource library, specialized educational tools, and collective advocacy for the environmental education sector.
Product overview
FRENE (Réseau Français d'Éducation à la Nature et à l'Environnement) is a non-profit association network founded in 1983, serving as a coordination and resource hub for environmental education actors across France. Rather than a traditional software product, FRENE operates as a multi-service platform offering: the Kolekti newsletter system for communication; the Séjours Nature program for nature-based stays; an Espace Contributeur for collaborative content sharing; Jeudis Thématiques for professional development; a Ressource Partagées library; Formation Professionnelle for career training; and various specialized pedagogical projects including Mar'eau, Ricochets, Eco-Parlement des Jeunes, and Enseigner dehors. The network also develops educational tools such as Jeu'Mapi for water governance training, Quiz Biodiv for biodiversity awareness, and Fresques Locales de l'Eau for participatory water education. FRENE functions as a meta-platform connecting environmental educators through shared resources, training, events, and collaborative projects rather than a standalone software product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Formation Professionnelle (Professional Training)
Companies that use FRENE
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FRENE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FRENE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- GRAINE networks (regional)coreRegional GRAINE networks across France are key partners in the FRENE ecosystem, collaborating on shared resources, events, and advocacy for environmental education at regional and national levels.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FRENE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LPO France: Major French biodiversity NGO running education programs and mobilizing volunteers. Comparable in operating national-scale environmental education activities, training, and citizen engagement in France.
- Surfrider Foundation Europe: European environmental NGO with strong French presence focused on ocean education and citizen engagement. Comparable membership-driven NGO model with environmental education programs.
- Union Nationale des CPIE (UNCPIE): National union of Centres Permanents d'Initiatives pour l'Environnement. Closely comparable network structure for environmental education providers across France, with overlapping member base and similar professional training offerings.
- NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education): Professional association for environmental educators in North America. Highly comparable as a member-based network supporting EE professionals, sharing resources, and running professional development — analogous structure in a different geography.
- France Nature Environnement (FNE): National federation of French environmental associations. Highly comparable as the umbrella network aggregating member NGOs around environmental policy and education, mirroring FRENE's federation model at a broader ecological scope.
- GRAINE (national network): National coordination body for regional environmental education networks in France. Directly comparable network-of-networks structure; GRAINE is both a partner and a peer with overlapping constituency.
Broad incumbents
- WWF France: Large international environmental NGO with significant French education programming. Comparable mission and recurring donor/member model, but far broader portfolio and greater resources than FRENE.
- UICN France: French committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Comparable as a large environmental organization running education and outreach programs, but operating at a broader biodiversity/conservation scope than FRENE.
- Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE): International foundation coordinating programs such as Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, and Blue Flag. Comparable global environmental education network operator, operating at larger geographic scale than FRENE.
- Greenpeace France: Major environmental NGO with active French operations running education and citizen engagement campaigns. Comparable environmental mission and donor/member base, though with a much larger advocacy footprint than FRENE.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FRENE social profiles
Digital presenceFRENE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FRENE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FRENE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FRENE 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 FRENE
What does FRENE do?
FRENE is a French non-profit association that operates as a national network and coordination hub for environmental education actors in France. It provides shared pedagogical resources, professional training programs (including DEJEPS/BPJEPS diplomas), networking events, a resource library, specialized educational tools, and collective advocacy for the environmental education sector.
Is FRENE a public or private company?
FRENE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FRENE founded?
FRENE was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FRENE based?
FRENE is headquartered in Montpellier, France, in the Europe region.
How does FRENE make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership fees.
Who are FRENE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LPO France, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Union Nationale des CPIE (UNCPIE), NAAEE (North American Association for Environmental Education), France Nature Environnement (FNE) and GRAINE (national network). Broad incumbents are WWF France, UICN France, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and Greenpeace France.
Does FRENE have an API?
No public API is recorded for FRENE.
What industry is FRENE in?
FRENE's product category is Environmental Education Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach. Its NAICS code is 541620.