INSTITUTIONALPARTNERSHIPS
MECENE NATURE & CITOYEN (Mecene nature and citizens) through its foundation, Lafuma is involved in sustainable development and integration. For several years, the brand has worked closely with different WWF partners to promote environmental protection. Lafuma also supports the work of several organisations to integrate young people in difficulty into society.
Lafuma supports WWFs’ actions on the ground and in particular the Arc Alpine conservation programme. This is a fairly large scientific conservation programme involving two sites: Mont Ventoux and Mont Blanc.
Furthermore, the WWF regularly provides support to the Lafuma working groups on product eco-design and eco-labelling and also transport and logistics related themes.
Lafuma has been a partner of Pandathlon for 2 years, an eco-design sporting event organised by the WWF teams.
Finally, Lafuma supports the “Earth Hour, turn off your lights” initiative each year.
For 5 years, Lafuma and the Lafuma Group have taken part in the French Alpine Club in Chamonix initiative to clean the Mer de Glace in the Mont-Blanc mountain range. These days which bring together approximately a hundred volunteers each year have resulted in the collection of over 10 tonnes of waste over the last few years. The Lafuma Group is committed to and takes action to protect this exceptional site, a playground for all mountain lovers.
The Lafuma Foundation and ENSA work closely together!
Lafuma through its Foundation has chosen to provide financial assistance to trainee guides by awarding educational scholarships and providing support for projects. It also supports four projects proposed by the future qualified guides, human interest, cultural heritage, shared responsibility projects… not only sporting greatness.
Lafuma has been providing both financial and practical support to Sport dans la ville through the Lafuma Foundation since the association was established in 1998.
Sport dans la Ville is today the main organisation promoting integration through sport in France. It focuses in particular on the setting up of sports centres in the heart of sensitive areas as well as holiday camps and an international exchange programme for young people in difficulty.
In 2012 as part of the “Job dans la ville” (jobs in the city) project, two senior managers from the Lafuma Group each sponsored a young person and supported them throughout their education in order to help them become integrated into the labour market.
Lafuma has supported the En passant par la montagne organsiation through the Lafuma Foundation for over 10 years. This association acts as an interface between the mountains and social work. It allows people, in particular young people living in difficult situations as a result of social exclusion, academic failure, sickness or handicap to find a way to overcome their difficulties through the mountains.
For 2 years, the association has also taken part in the cleaning of the Mer de Glace organised by the Lafuma Group and its partner network. These are valuable human experiences for each one of them and also the opportunity to meet different people working in mountain-related activities.
The Lafuma Group Foundation and Lafuma wanted to become involved with Naturevolution, a nature conservation association with projects in France and worldwide. In 2010 and 2011, we supported their project to conserve the Makay Massif in Madagascar, an area which is particularly amazing for its environmental wealth and morphology. The association brought close to 60 scientists to make an inventory of its biodiversity and is working towards turning this into a Protected Area.
We are upholding this commitment today with new Naturevolution conservation projects, starting with the Karst Massif in Matarombeo, Indonesia, as yet unknown but under serious threat.
Lafuma (through the Lafuma Foundation) is a partner to the Apprentis d’Auteuil Foundation. A well-known community aid foundation, it welcomes, educates and trains over 13,000 young people in difficulty to help them integrate into society as free and responsible adults.
This partnership began in 2010 with the “Gravir en confiance” – (grow in confidence) project.
Mentored by Christophe Dumarest, Lafuma Technical Adviser and others, 18 young people attempted to climb Mont-Blanc. This project gave all the participants the opportunity to gain some experience of high mountain climbing, improved their self-esteem and self-confidence and to take part in what is both a group and individual sporting exercise.
