LES PETITS DEBROUILLARDS PROVENCE ALPES COTE D'AZUR

What LES PETITS DEBROUILLARDS PROVENCE ALPES COTE D'AZUR does

Les Petits Débrouillards Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) and regional branch of the national Les Petits Débrouillards movement founded in 1986. It operates across the six departments of the PACA region (Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse, Hautes-Alpes) through a regional headquarters in Marseille and six departmental antennae. The association delivers free popular scientific education through mobile science trucks (Science Tour, two vehicles "Léon" and "Ursule" with 800+ steps since 2013), three FabLabs (D-CLIC Manosque, BouTIK Toulon, TILT Nice), neighborhood street animations in 50+ areas (Cités Débrouillardes), school workshops, structured digital inclusion programs (Parcours Tremplin Numérique in Marseille/Toulon/Nice), labeled learning vacation camps (Colos Apprenantes), and annual coordination of the Fête de la Science across the region (122,500 visitors in 2024).

The core technology stack is pedagogical rather than software: hands-on experimental kits, interactive modular exhibitions (modulothèques), educational malles, escape games, the "Jus de Citron" science video series, and open-source platforms (Wikidebrouillards, Les Taxinomes). Digital fabrication infrastructure includes 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics kits (Thymio, Arduino, Raspberry Pi), and programming tools. The association maintains a 19-member Scientific Council and pursues structured research partnerships with IFREMER, IRD, Université Côte d'Azur, IMEV, MIO, and Parc National de Port-Cros, most recently around the "Notre Mer Méditerranée" modulothèque and the UNOC3 youth mobilization.

The business model is non-commercial: all programs, animations, and events are provided free of charge to end beneficiaries, with revenue sourced exclusively from public institutional grants and subsidies (CAF, Fonjep, Région Sud PACA, French State ministries, EU "Europe s'engage", Banque des Territoires, Fondation Groupama Méditerranée, Fondation Orange). The association holds Qualiopi training certification and multiple national agréments (Organisme d'intérêt général, Entreprise solidaire, Association de jeunesse et d'éducation populaire) that gate access to these funding streams. Leadership is exercised by Directrice Solène Merer at the regional level and departmental directors per territory.

Name

LES PETITS DEBROUILLARDS PROVENCE ALPES COTE D'AZUR

Legal name

Les Petits Débrouillards Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur

Website

https://lespetitsdebrouillardspaca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

French non-profit association providing free popular science education across the PACA region through mobile science trucks, three FabLabs, school workshops, festivals, and digital inclusion programs, serving children, families, educators, and underserved youth funded entirely by public institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education and Popular Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Science education
• Popular education
• Digital inclusion
• Community science outreach
• Mobile science labs

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public institutional funding and subsidies: As a non-profit association d'éducation populaire, the organization's primary revenue consists of grants and subsidies from public institutions. The site explicitly acknowledges support from CAF, Fonjep, Europe s'engage (EU funding), Région Sud PACA, and the French State. Additional funding comes from departmental councils and municipalities for specific programs (e.g., Parcours Tremplin Numérique, Colloques Égalité). Revenue is not derived from product sales or commercial licensing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Les Petits Débrouillards PACA is a non-profit association that delivers free, hands-on scientific and technological education to children, families, and the general public across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Its core offerings include mobile Science Tour laboratories, street-based science animations, three FabLabs, the Parcours Tremplin Numérique digital inclusion program, modular travelling exhibitions, educational kits, escape games, hackathons, weekly children's clubs, vacation camps, and digital tools (Wikidebrouillards, Les Taxinomes). All programs are delivered free of charge and funded through public institutional grants and subsidies.

Product overview

Les Petits Débrouillards Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a regional association for popular scientific education (éducation populaire scientifique), operating a multi-format portfolio of science outreach programs and pedagogical tools. The core offerings include mobile Science Tour laboratories (2 trucks: Léon and Ursule), Cités Débrouillardes street animations in 50+ neighborhoods, and annual Fête de la Science coordination across the region. Key programs include the Parcours Tremplin Numérique (PTN) digital skills training in Marseille, Toulon, and Nice; three Fablabs (D-CLIC lab Manosque, BouTIK Toulon, TILT Nice); Respirations cultural access program for vulnerable youth; Colloques Égalité on gender equality; Promeneurs du Net digital youth outreach; and Jeunes Engagés pour l'Océan (JEO) ocean awareness initiative. The pedagogical toolkit encompasses interactive modulothèques, educational kits (malles), escape games, science cafés, debates, and digital resources (Wikidebrouillards, Les Taxinomes, TerraForMars). The organization also runs weekly Clubs for children, labeled vacation camps (Colos Apprenantes), hackathons, and the Embarquement Immédiat itinerant festival. All training programs carry Qualiopi certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• D-CLIC lab: FabLab opened at 10 rue Arthur Robert, Manosque (04100), providing digital fabrication tools and community workshop space.
• La BouTIK
• Le TILT
• Parcours Tremplin Numérique (PTN)
• Science Tour
• Cités Débrouillardes
• Modulothèque Notre Mer Méditerranée
• Osons l'Égalité
• Embarquement Immédiat
• Festival des Sciences de Marseille
• Village des Sciences de Manosque
• Jeunes Engagés pour les Océans (JEO)

Products and services

• Science Tour Mobile laboratory program featuring 12 trucks (camions-laboratoires) that travel across France to bring scientific experiments to schools, public spaces, and underserved areas. In PACA, two trucks (Léon and Ursule) operate, having completed over 800 steps since 2013. Offers themed tours including Science Tour Eau, Science Tour Egalité, and Science Tour Terra Numerica.
• Cités Débrouillardes Year-round street science animations deployed in over 50 neighborhoods across the PACA region. Free, no-registration-required activities combining games, experiments, and discoveries. Designed collaboratively with local social and educational partners, focusing on environmental, social, and civic engagement themes.
• Parcours Tremplin Numérique (PTN) Comprehensive 5-month digital skills and employment support program operating in Marseille, Toulon, and Nice. Serves groups of 20 participants (30 hours/week) combining technical digital training (multimedia creation, digital fabrication, programming) with career development and social accompaniment in three phases.
• FabLabs (D-CLIC lab, BouTIK, TILT) Three digital fabrication spaces: D-CLIC lab in Manosque, BouTIK in Toulon (Pont du Las neighborhood), and TILT in Nice (Ariane neighborhood). Open workshops featuring 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, robotics cards, computers, and programming tools for educational, scientific, artistic, and citizen projects.
• Respirations Program born in 2018 in partnership with FAS and Cultures du Coeur, focused on providing access to cultural life, citizenship, and scientific/technical knowledge for children, youth, and families without homes or in emergency situations. Includes territorial cultural-scientific projects and a digital platform for frontline actor sensitization.
• Colloques Égalité — Osons l'Égalité Annual regional equality colloquium series questioning gender equality practices in education and society. Coordinates the Osons l'Égalité network in PACA, providing resources and connecting actors working on gender equality sensitization for youth. Produces pedagogical booklets for each edition.
• Promeneurs du Net Digital youth outreach program coordinating youth referents in socio-educational structures across multiple PACA communes. Provides training on internet safety, social media, cyber harassment, and digital citizenship. Includes annual Promeneurs du Net Festival.
• Jeunes Engagés pour l'Océan (JEO) Program mobilizing approximately 100 young people on ocean ecological transition and marine science topics, in collaboration with IFREMER. Participants develop informed opinions and produce dissemination tools for presentation at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, June 2025.
• Colonies de Vacances Scientifiques (Colos Apprenantes) Labeled 'Colos Apprenantes' (Learning Vacation Camps), offering mini-stays for young people aged 7-17 from Vaucluse. 40-60 youth per vacation discover the territory through scientific activities including astronomy on Mont Ventoux, cave exploration, and local history investigations. Targeted at children who do not typically vacation, primarily from priority neighborhoods or rural areas.
• Clubs Petits Débrouillards Weekly meetings of approximately 10 children in youth structures, led by association animators. Participants discover and practice scientific and technical activities through a playful approach, exploring phenomena and their daily applications.
• Formations (Training Programs) Short-cycle training programs (2-3 days) and customized training for professionals on themes including digital skills, ecological transition, biodiversity, and scientific animation techniques. The association is certified Qualiopi and recognized as a training organization.
• Animations Scientifiques Science workshops in school and out-of-school settings covering topics including cities, senses, Earth, water, energy, biodiversity, climate, chemistry, media literacy, digital skills, AI, robotics, gender equality, discrimination, and scientific methodology. Custom-designed interventions built around partner contexts and objectives.
• Fête de la Science Annual national science festival (October) organized and coordinated in the PACA region. Includes Village des Sciences events in Marseille, Salon-de-Provence, Manosque, Antibes, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Hyères, Gap, and other locations. Engaged 122,500 visitors in 2024 across the region.
• Embarquement Immédiat Annual itinerant festival in Avignon organized with the city, running 7 weeks from June to July. Transforms neighborhoods into spaces for science, ecology, digital skills, and community solidarity through free workshops, experiments, debates, and cultural activities across different districts.
• Villages des Sciences Science village events organized during the Fête de la Science and throughout the year. Multiple villages operate across PACA including Marseille (Vieux Port), Manosque (Salle Osco Manosco), Salon-de-Provence (new 2024), Antibes, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Hyères, and Gap.
• Modulothèque Notre Mer Méditerranée Interactive and itinerant exhibition on the Mediterranean Sea designed for youth aged 12-17. Developed in collaboration with IRD and a team of scientists covering the history of the Mediterranean, its biodiversity, deep-sea environments, and migrations.
• Espace interactif d'éveil aux sciences — Jardin des Sciences Manosque Interactive and playful science discovery space for young children (ages 4-6) at the Jardin des Sciences in Manosque. Features five sensory exploration zones covering smells, tastes, touch, hearing, and sight.

Quantifiable outcome

• 122,500 visitors reached during the 2024 Fête de la Science across PACA
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAF is listed as a supporter of the association alongside other institutional funders (Fonjep, Europe s'engage, Région Sud, État). CAF co-organizes specific programs such as the Festival Promeneurs du Net with CAF 06 (Alpes-Maritimes).
• Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe regional council is a primary institutional funder and partner, supporting the association's activities across all departments. The region co-finances the UNOC3 youth mobilization and other regional science culture initiatives.
• État (French State)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe French state provides institutional funding through various ministries (Research, Education, Youth, City). The national Les Petits Débrouillards movement is a recognized partner of multiple ministries.
• FonjepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFonjep (Fonds de Coopération de la Jeunesse et de l'Éducation Populaire) is listed as a supporter, providing operational funding support for youth and popular education associations.
• IFREMERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) collaborates with Les Petits Débrouillards PACA on the JEO (Jeunes Engagés pour l'Océan) project for UNOC3, providing scientific expertise, participating in the youth conference, and co-producing educational tools (e.g., 'Mon Lopin de Mer' board game, debate facilitation tools).
• IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRD collaborated with Les Petits Débrouillards PACA to co-create the 'Notre Mer Méditerranée' interactive travelling exhibition (modulothèque), designed by ~20 scientists. IRD also hosts the UNOC3 Mediterranean Pavilion where the association animates the exhibition.
• Université Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Côte d'Azur is a partner in the JEO project and contributes to the scientific council, providing researchers for youth panels and scientific expertise for UNOC3 and other programs.
• IMEV (Institut de la Mer de Villefranche)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMEV contributes to the scientific council of the JEO project, providing marine science expertise and research access for youth engagement activities.
• MIO (Institut Méditerranéen d'Océanologie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIO (Campus de Luminy) hosted the inauguration of the 'Notre Mer Méditerranée' modulothèque on 1 April 2025, providing the venue and hosting the opening event.
• Fondation Groupama Méditerranée pour l'eaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation co-funds the Science Tour Eau (water-themed mobile science truck), enabling water-themed science outreach activities in urban and rural areas of the PACA region.
• MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA co-organized the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025 on cyberharassment alongside CAF 06, providing institutional support for youth digital citizenship programming.
• Fondation OrangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondation Orange participated as a workshop provider at the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025, contributing to digital citizenship and cybersecurity content for youth.
• Les Francas 06minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Francas 06 (Fédération des associations complémentaires de l'enseignement public) provided workshops at the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025 on digital citizenship topics.
• CIDFF 06 (Centre d'Information sur les Droits des Femmes et des Familles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIDFF 06 delivered workshops at the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025, addressing gender equality and legal rights in the digital space.
• Alter Egaux 06minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlter Egaux 06 provided workshops at the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025, focusing on equality and anti-discrimination topics in the digital context.
• Réseau CanopéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRéseau Canopé participated as a workshop provider at the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025, contributing educational resources on media literacy.
• Collectif TransbordeurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollectif Transbordeur performed theatrical sketches on cyberharassment themes during the Festival Promeneurs du Net 2025, bringing embodied artistic intervention to the event.
• Fédération des Acteurs de Solidarité (FAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAS co-founded the 'Respirations' program (2018) with Les Petits Débrouillards and Cultures du Cœur, providing cultural and scientific access programs for homeless and emergency-housed children, young people, and families.
• Cultures du CœurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of the 'Respirations' program alongside FAS and Les Petits Débrouillards, focused on cultural and scientific access for people in precarious housing situations.
• Parc National de Port-CrosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced educational notebooks on Mediterranean terrestrial biodiversity and oceanography with Les Petits Débrouillards, published as downloadable resources for educators and mediators.
• CRID (Centre de Recherche et d'Informations pour le Développement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRID initiated the 'Une Seule Planète' campaign (alternatives for sustainable development), in which Les Petits Débrouillards participates, producing video content and educational resources.
• Terre NumericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Science Tour Terra Numerica, focused on digital education and responsible technology use, deployed across 10 territories in PACA.
• Fédération Internationale des Petits DébrouillardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe PACA association is part of the national and international Les Petits Débrouillards network, coordinating with other regional branches and the international federation for methodology, resources, and cross-regional projects.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• La Ligue de l'Enseignement: Major national federation of popular education associations with a much wider scope (literacy, citizenship, culture, leisure). Operates in PACA through departmental federations and shares the same association loi 1901 status, public funding profile, and educational targeting.
• Réseau des CCSTI: National network of 32+ Culture Scientifiques, Techniques et Industrielles centers across France. Aggregates the same science culture delivery mission, institutional funders, and event coordination; the PACA association effectively competes and partners with this network.

Direct peers

• Planète Sciences: National French non-profit association dedicated to scientific and technical experimentation for young people, operating through regional delegations. Similar hands-on science education model, mobile activities, and youth-focused programs including astronomy, robotics, and aerospace.
• Centre Sciences (CCSTI Centre-Val de Loire): Centre de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industrielle (CCSTI) coordinating regional science culture events, including Fête de la Science Village des Sciences, animations, and traveling exhibitions. Closely comparable public-funded science mediation structure at regional scale.
• Les Petits Débrouillards (National Federation): National parent network of 40+ regional associations practicing popular scientific education in France. Operates the same experimental, hands-on methodology and shares the brand, national recognitions, and movement structure. The PACA branch is one of its regional chapters.
• Terre des Sciences (CCSTI Pays de la Loire): Regional CCSTI in Angers/Nantes delivering science exhibitions, school animations, and public events. Mirrors the PACA association's combination of modulothèques, school programs, and event coordination.
• Les Francas: Federation of complementary public education associations running youth, leisure, and cultural activities (colos apprenantes, centers de loisirs). Overlaps directly on vacation camps, training, and youth animation programs for the same PACA demographic.
• Association Traces (CCSTI Lyon): CCSTI based in Lyon/Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes running science exhibitions, café des sciences, and school programs. Closely comparable regional science culture association with modulothèques-type exhibitions and similar institutional funding mix.

Emerging players

• Fab Lab de Marseille (Association): Independent Marseille-based FabLab providing digital fabrication tools, training, and workshops. Direct overlap with the D-CLIC, BouTIK, and TILT FabLab activities and similar target audience of youth and makers, though with a maker/hacker focus rather than science education.

Regional players

• Cosmocité: Newly opened science center in Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, combining exhibitions, planetarium, and public programs. Comparable science education mission but operates primarily in a different territory and through a more destination-based delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/petitsdebrouillards.paca
• Instagraminstagram.com/petitsdebrouillardspaca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-petits-debrouillards-paca

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about LES PETITS DEBROUILLARDS PROVENCE ALPES COTE D'AZUR