What Les Cités d'Or does

Les Cités d'Or is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2007 and headquartered at 2 rue Commarmot, Lyon, with a salaried team of 23 employees and a documented volunteer base of 150+ (grown from 50+ historically). Its mission is popular education and civic re-engagement, primarily targeting youth aged 16–25 experiencing social or educational disengagement, alongside a secondary audience of professionals, public-sector actors and educational institutions. Core programs include the Ecoles Buissonnières — six-month civic-service journeys (Service Civique status, €619/month stipend) running 24 hours per week across four days for cohorts of 12 young adults across five Lyon metropolitan territories — and a Centre de formation offering five priced training modules (€75–€2,500) on five named 'Compétences fondamentales': persuading without manipulating, finding information while avoiding misinformation, knowing and accepting oneself, nurturing one's human environment, and understanding contemporary society. Delivery relies on a codified 'Inclusion par l'humain' methodology and a 'répondant' (mentor/buddy) pairing system using a maieutic approach.

The association's technology is entirely human-pedagogical rather than software-based, with its primary proprietary asset being the named competency framework and accompanying methodologies refined since 2007. Free public hearings (auditions publiques) featuring inspirational speakers and a 60+ resource library extend the brand and serve as a marketing/recruitment channel. The organization holds Qualiopi certification (since at least 2024), enabling OPCO-financed enterprise training.

Revenue is a non-disclosed mix of: (i) public subsidies from Préfecture, Métropole de Lyon, FDVA, Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and multiple municipal governments; (ii) corporate sponsorship and mécénat de compétences from TotalEnergies Fondation, BNP Paribas (For Youth foundation + skills sponsorship), SPIE, Clasquin, Fondation de France Centre Est, Fondation Fly, Evolem, Vinci and AlterActions; (iii) enterprise/individual professional training fees; (iv) individual membership dues and donations; and (v) taxe d'apprentissage allocated via the SOLTÉA platform. Distribution relies on website registration, Service Civique agency partnership, a 30+ partner referral network (mission locales, centres sociaux, Fédération des Centres sociaux, CRIJ), and a multi-channel social-media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube). The 86% positive-outcome metric in 2023 and 1,600+ beneficiaries cumulatively since 2007 are the primary proof-of-impact signals.

Name

Les Cités d'Or

Legal name

Les Cités d'Or

Website

https://lescitesdor.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Cités d'Or is a Lyon-based non-profit association running six-month Ecoles Buissonnières civic-service programs for disengaged youth aged 16–25 and a professional training center offering modules on five fundamental human and civic competencies to enterprises and public-sector clients across five Lyon metropolitan territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Popular Education and Youth Civic Engagement Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Popular education
• Youth civic engagement
• Professional training services
• Social inclusion programs
• Community associations

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sponsoring Ecoles Buissonnières: Companies can sponsor an Ecole Buissonnière (12 young people for 6 months), associating their brand with the program and taking part in the ecosystem that supports youth development. This includes sponsoring thematic schools or specific events/cycles.
2. Membership and donations: Revenue from members paying annual dues (with voting rights at General Assembly and access to conferences/events) and donors/mecenes supporting the association's mission.
3. Professional training services: Training programs on fundamental competencies offered to enterprises, public sector, and individuals. Sessions open from 6 registered participants minimum. OPCO financing support available.
4. Mécénat/Sponsoring: Corporate patronage and sponsorship arrangements where companies provide financial support, skills-based sponsorship (mécénat de compétences), or in-kind contributions to the association's activities.
5. Taxe d'apprentissage: Companies can allocate their 'taxe d'apprentissage' (apprenticeship tax) to Les Cités d'Or through the SOLTÉA platform, supporting their training actions for youth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Les Cités d'Or delivers popular education programs centered on five fundamental human and civic competencies. Its core offerings are the Ecoles Buissonnières — a 6-month Service Civique program for 12 young adults aged 16-25 (€619/month stipend) — and the Centre de formation, a Qualiopi-certified training center providing 'Compétences fondamentales' modules and pedagogical engineering services to enterprises, public-sector bodies, and individuals.

Product overview

Les Cités d'Or operates as a unified association offering complementary programs centered on youth education and civic engagement. The core offerings consist of: (1) Les Ecoles Buissonnières - a 6-month civic service program for 16-25 year olds focused on building fundamental human and civic competencies; (2) Le Centre de formation - a professional training center providing fundamental skills training and pedagogical engineering services to businesses, organizations, and individuals; (3) Public hearings and inspiring encounters showcasing exemplary life journeys; (4) A mentorship system pairing young participants with adult volunteers; and (5) A resource library of pedagogical materials and videos. All programs are structured around five fundamental human and civic competencies: persuading without manipulating, finding information and avoiding misinformation, knowing and accepting oneself, nurturing one's human environment, and understanding contemporary society.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ecoles Buissonnières: Six-month programs for young adults aged 16-25 under service civique status, focused on personal development, civic engagement, and building key competencies for life and employment.
• Centre de formation des Cités d'Or
• La Maison des Cités d'Or (L'Athanor)

Products and services

• Ecoles Buissonnières

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% positive outcomes in 2023 (access to economic life, return to studies or training)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Lyon Métropole Habitat (LMH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing the Athanor space - a warm, welcoming, innovative hub in the Lyon metropolitan area where young people, volunteers, partners and staff can meet and work together.
• Agence du Service CiviquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency managing Service Civique program that enables youth (16-25) to engage in civic service with monthly stipends.
• BNP ParibasmoderateOthersSkills-based sponsorship providing employee volunteers and expertise support.
• EmergencesmoderateOthersSkills-based sponsorship partner providing professional expertise support.
• MeltminorOthersSkills-based sponsorship partner.
• AlterActionsmoderateOthersSkills-based sponsorship partner supporting association activities.
• Fédération des Centres sociauxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of community centers - key operational partner in youth accompaniment and educational popular education.
• Centre social Quartier VitalitécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner in the Quartier Vitalité area providing youth services.
• Centre social VaisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner in Vaise neighborhood.
• Centre social LaënneccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner in Laënnec neighborhood.
• Centre social OrangeriecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner.
• Centre social BonnefoycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner.
• Centre social Georges LévycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community center partner.
• CRIJcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre Régional Information Jeunesse - regional youth information center partner.
• EPI (Espace Projets Interassociatifs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-associative projects space partner supporting youth initiatives.
• Mission LocalecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrescribing structure for youth employment and integration support.
• La TribuneminorOthersMedia partner providing visibility and press coverage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Croix-Rouge française: Major French social/humanitarian organization that is both a client of Les Cités d'Or's training center and a peer in the broader social services ecosystem targeting vulnerable populations.
• Le Mouvement Associatif: Umbrella organization representing French non-profit associations — comparable association-sector entity engaged in defending the loi 1901 model and civil society funding.

Regional players

• Fédération des Centres sociaux: National federation of social centres already a core operational partner; represents both a comparable ecosystem and a potential expansion channel for Les Cités d'Or's civic programs across France.

Broad incumbents

• AFPA: France's primary public vocational training organization, Qualiopi-certified, offering adult continuing education at national scale — relevant comparable for the Centre de formation professional training business.
• La Ligue de l'Enseignement: France's largest popular education federation with 100+ years of history and a nationwide network of associations delivering civic and educational programs to youth and adults.

Direct peers

• Apprentis d'Auteuil: Large French foundation offering educational and social integration programs for vulnerable youth, including accueil, formation, and accompagnement — closely aligned with Les Cités d'Or's youth inclusion mission.
• EPIDE: Government-backed 'Établissements Pour l'Insertion Dans l'Emploi' running residential programs for NEET youth aged 17-25, comparable target population and inclusion outcomes.
• Sport dans la Ville: French association using sport as a vehicle for youth social and professional inclusion in priority neighborhoods — similar 'éducation populaire' methodology and youth outcomes focus.
• Unis-Cité: Pioneer of Service Civique in France running 6-9 month civic engagement programs for 16-25 year olds with similar mission to develop civic competencies and combat social exclusion.
• Institut de l'Engagement: French non-profit that supports young people post-Service Civique through scholarships, training, and mentoring — overlaps directly on civic engagement youth accompaniment model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6oXTW_1E96YouDFqdvfsgA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/lescitesdor.fr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lescitesdor
• Instagraminstagram.com/lescitesdor.fr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

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 Les Cités d'Or