Label Ville Active et Sportive

What Label Ville Active et Sportive does

Label Ville Active et Sportive is a French national certification label operated by the non-profit association Conseil National des Villes Actives et Sportives (CNVAS), headquartered at the Ministry of Sports in Paris (95 avenue de France, Paris 13). Co-founded in 2017 by ANDES (Association Nationale des Élu(e)s en charge du Sport) and UNION Sport & Cycle (the leading French sports industry federation), the label runs under the high patronage of the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Associative Life and with the support of the Agence Nationale du Sport. Its purpose is to recognize and reward French municipalities that implement coherent, accessible sports policies promoting physical activity for all citizens throughout life; eligibility is restricted to communes (intercommunalities are explicitly excluded), and overseas municipalities in the DOM-TOM and Nouvelle-Calédonie may also apply.

The label's core product is a four-tier certification system awarding municipalities 1 to 4 "lauriers" (laurels) based on structured candidacy dossiers scored by a 44-member volunteer jury across four evaluation criteria: motivation for candidacy, presentation of the sports project, the territory's sports inventory, and sports policy/innovative initiatives. Higher tiers progressively require management of sports equipment, emerging and inclusive practices, and integration of sports policy with broader municipal policies (nature, health, mobility, tourism). Submissions are processed through an annual campaign cycle running via the label's website, with a national ceremony awarding the vintage each October. As of 2025, 1,063 municipalities across metropolitan France and overseas territories had been labeled, representing more than one-third of the French population, and the 2025 cycle itself awarded 480 cities out of 491 submitted dossiers.

The business model centers on annual certification fees paid by candidate municipalities (not publicly disclosed) plus an institutional ecosystem of 15+ commercial partners in the "Club des Partenaires" providing sports equipment, surfaces, and services to labeled cities. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: a direct website-based application channel, supported by informational webinars, permanence sessions, and a high-attendance annual ceremony. The label organization itself operates with a lean team of five employees and Patrick APPÉRÉ (President of ANDES) as President of CNVAS, with Nathalie BONNEFOY serving as Directrice de publication / Chargée de Mission.

Name

Label Ville Active et Sportive

Legal name

Association Conseil National des Villes Actives et Sportives (CNVAS)

Website

https://ville-active-et-sportive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Label Ville Active et Sportive is a French national certification program run by the non-profit CNVAS (co-founded by ANDES and UNION Sport & Cycle) that awards municipalities 1 to 4 laurels for excellence in local sports policy, with 1,063 cities labeled as of 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Sports Certification

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKACAD

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

Keywords

• Municipal certification label
• Sports policy recognition
• City sports evaluation
• National sports award
• Municipal sports program

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Label Certification Fees: Municipalities pay a fee to apply for the label; the label generates revenue through certification fees from the annual candidacy process; municipalities that obtain the label are authorized to use the label's visual elements in their general communication under the condition of respecting the graphic charter.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The organization administers a national certification label recognizing French municipalities for their sports policies and initiatives. Municipalities submit a candidacy dossier evaluated by a national jury against four criteria and receive 1 to 4 laurels based on progressively comprehensive standards. Labeled municipalities gain official national recognition and the right to use the label's visual identity in their communications.

Product overview

Label Ville Active & Sportive is a single unified certification product—a national quality label for French cities awarded by the Conseil National des Villes Actives et Sportives (CNVAS). The label evaluates cities across four levels (1 to 4 lauriers) based on criteria including sports policy innovation, equipment parks, emerging practices, and integration with broader municipal policies. Cities apply through a formal candidacy process, submit documentation for jury review, and receive their certification at an annual national ceremony. The organization also maintains a partner network and provides ongoing support through webinars and permanence sessions for candidate cities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Label Ville Active et Sportive A national certification label that evaluates and recognizes French municipalities for their sports policies and initiatives promoting physical activity accessible to all citizens throughout life. Municipalities submit a candidacy dossier and are awarded 1 to 4 laurels based on evaluation criteria covering sports policy innovation, equipment management, emerging practices, and integration with broader municipal policies. Labeled municipalities may use the label's visual identity in their communications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Label coverage: more than one-third of the French population lives in a labeled municipality
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Agence Nationale du SportflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Agence Nationale du Sport supports and accompanies local authorities in developing sports practices for everyone and high-level sports. It partnered with the label for 3 years to identify, encourage, promote, and support municipalities in their ambitions and actions making sport a vector of health, animation, inclusion, fulfillment, sharing, education, and performance.
• ANDES (Association Nationale des Élu(e)s en charge du Sport)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ANDES is one of the two founding members of CNVAS and the label. It brings together mayors and elected officials responsible for sports from metropolitan France and overseas, representing 8,000 communes and groupings of communes. ANDES represents the interests of local authorities, the largest public funders of sport at 9.3 billion euros per year, owning 80% of France's sports infrastructure.
• UNION Sport & Cycle (UNION des entreprises SPORT & CYCLE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017UNION Sport & Cycle is the first professional organization in the sports sector, federating 1,400 companies representing more than 500 brands, 3,000 points of sale, 80,000 employees, and 12 billion euros in cumulative revenue. It is one of the two founding members of CNVAS and the label.
• Ministry of Sports, Youth and Associative LifeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Sports implements a policy for developing sports practices for the greatest number, particularly focusing on reducing inequalities in access to regular physical and sports activity. The label operates under the high patronage of the ministry.
• ATELIER CORDEminorOthersATELIER CORDE SAS, based in Saint Germain du Bois, specializes in the design and manufacture of rope structures for play areas. All products are manufactured in France. Contact: Samuel JACQUEY, 07 71 32 89 66, [email protected]
• EUROFIELDminorOthersEUROFIELD has developed, manufactured, and commercialized 'Made in France' synthetic grass since 2006. Headquarters in Yvelines at Aigremont (78), factory in Isbergues (62). Over 800 large-game fields equipped with EUROFIELD synthetic grass in France. Contact: Gilles THILLAYE.
• FONDATION ALICE MILLIATminorOthersOfficially created March 29, 2016, the Alice Milliat Foundation is the first European foundation dedicated to women's sport. Under the aegis of the Fondation de France and recognized as being of public utility. Created to improve the media coverage of women's sport in France and Europe.
• FONDATION DU SPORT FRANÇAISminorOthersThe French Sports Foundation, recognized as being of public utility, has as its main mission to promote sport as a vector of social connection through innovative and societal actions. Implements Soutiens Ton Club, the Pacte de Performance, and MeSporT programs.
• HAGSminorOthersHAGS specializes in providing play and sports equipment solutions for public spaces, offering a wide range of products from play areas to fitness equipment, multisport courts, and urban furniture. Works closely with local authorities, schools, and businesses.
• HURRICANE PARKSminorOthersFor over 25 years, Hurricane Parks designs and builds skateparks, bowls, and pumptracks, combining technical expertise, creativity, and manufacturing quality. From small commune pumptracks to Olympic BMX Freestyle parks for the Paris 2024 Games.
• HUSSON InternationalminorOthersCreated in 1960, HUSSON International is one of the European leaders in collective, play, and sports equipment. ISO 9001 and 14001 certified French manufacturer with 2 production sites in Alsace and 105 collaborators.
• KOMPANminorOthersFor over 50 years, KOMPAN designs and builds play areas and sports spaces in free access. Integrates recycled materials from plastics, marine waste, and post-consumer textiles to reduce carbon footprint. Contributes to the vitality of territories and well-being of local communities.
• MÉDITERRANÉE ENVIRONNEMENTminorOthersFor over 50 years, Méditerranée Environnement (Ollioules, Var) is a major player in landscaping and sports development in the Sud region. Designs, builds, and maintains parks, gardens, basins, coastal paths, play areas, and sports fields. Recognized expertise in sports surfaces (football, rugby, tennis, golf).
• PARCS ET SPORTSminorOthersParcs et Sports places innovation and citizen commitment at the heart of its strategy. Expert in construction, maintenance, and regeneration of professional sports lawns, providing premium high-performance service adapted to the requirements and ambitions of sport and professional clubs.
• PITCH'ONEminorOthersPITCH'ONE multisport spaces and multi-fields favor sport for all together. Innovative and patented configuration allows practice of goal and net sports without manipulating posts or nets, without needing several fields simultaneously. Developed and commercialized by Sport Espaces Innovation SAS.
• PRO URBAminorOthersFor 50 years, Pro Urba creates public and private spaces that promote play, movement, and social connection. Play inclusive areas, sports equipment, or sustainable aquatic spaces. With Aqua Pro Urba, specializes in aquatic development for 25 years.
• SPORTINGSOLSminorOthersSPORTINGSOLS is a general construction company for sports surfaces for 40 years. Specializes in large-game fields (football, rugby, hockey), synthetic grass fields, athletics tracks, gymnasium surfaces, tennis courts, and proximity sports spaces. Contact: Robert JOBARD, 06 11 97 81 94.
• TERRAINS DE SPORTSminorOthersTERRAINS DE SPORTS is the reference magazine concerning the construction, renovation, management, and maintenance of sports surfaces and equipment. CENTRES AQUATIQUES is its supplement covering public pool topics.
• YES YES PADELminorOthersYes Yes Padel builds autonomous padel courts in partnership with local authorities and tennis clubs, in a hybrid public/private/associative approach. Quick to deploy, accessible, and without cost to the commune. With over 500,000 practitioners in France.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AFNOR Certification: France's leading certification body, issuing ISO and sectoral certifications to organizations including municipalities. As a broad incumbent, it could enter or absorb municipal sport-policy certification but currently operates at a different scale and methodology.

Regional players

• UNESCO Creative Cities Network: International UNESCO program recognizing cities across seven creative fields. While not sport-specific, it operates the same conceptual model of designating cities based on thematic policy excellence, providing an international template that Label VAS could reference for cross-border expansion.
• ACES Europe - European Capitals of Sport: Awards the 'European Capital of Sport' designation annually to a European city. Addresses the same conceptual need (recognizing sport-active municipalities) but at a continental scale, targeting one city per year rather than mass-credentialing a national network.

Direct peers

• Ville d'Art et d'Histoire: A French Ministry of Culture designation for municipalities with outstanding heritage and architectural value. Like Label VAS, it is a government-backed national quality mark awarded to French cities based on a structured evaluation framework.
• Terre de Jeux 2024 / 2030: The Paris 2024 / 2030 Olympic legacy label recognizing French municipalities committed to promoting sport and Olympic values. Direct thematic peer within the sports-policy certification space, currently co-existing with Label VAS among the same municipal customer base.
• Villes et Villages Fleuris: The French national quality label for municipalities on green spaces, flowers, and environmental quality. Operates a tiered-label (1–4 flowers) recognition system targeting French communes under government patronage — the closest structural analogue to Label Ville Active et Sportive.
• Ville Internet: French association awarding a multi-level label (1–5 '@') to municipalities for their digital policies and online citizen services. Closely mirrors Label VAS in structure (tiered quality mark, association-led, targeting French communes) but applied to a different policy domain.

Others

• Association des Petites Villes de France: National membership association representing small French municipalities. It addresses a similar 'segment' of the French commune landscape and could be a partner or adjacent ecosystem participant for Label VAS, particularly for 1- or 2-laurel cities.
• Fédération Nationale des Offices Municipaux du Sport (FNOMS): Federation of municipal sports offices — a stakeholder body in French local sports governance. Comparable as an ecosystem participant within the local-sports-policy field, though focused on operating offices rather than certifying policy quality.
• Fédération Française des Villes et Villages Fleuris (CNVVF): Governing federation behind the 'Villes et Villages Fleuris' label. Structurally analogous to ANDES/UNION Sport & Cycle as the founding membership bodies behind a national municipal quality label, providing a comparable governance and operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LabelVAS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/label-ville-active-et-sportive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Label Ville Active et Sportive