Projects to support

Upon arriving at middle school, the possibilities seem both endless and uncertain. Students envision themselves in very different worlds, but are often afraid to reveal themselves, to stand out, and sometimes doubt their abilities.

The Youth Challenge program encourages young people to identify their strengths, values and sources of pride as early as possible, and to overcome their fear of failure.


Getting to know themselves better helps students feel freer to dream about what truly suits them and to identify, without barriers, the initial paths that resonates with them.

Finding one's place in middle school can be difficult, especially for the most reserved students. Despite anti-bullying policies, other people’s opinions still carry significant weight in a middle school student's daily life. The group work sessions offered by Youth Challenge Programme allow everyone to contribute, express themselves, and forge new connections. Students learn to present their ideas, listen to others, and cooperate. Working as a team also lead to dreaming bigger and bolder, and having more support.

In 8th grade, at the height of adolescence, changes and questions abound, both on the personal and academic grounds. The risk of dropping out of school increases. When first considering career paths, students may hesitate between several options or, conversely, lack direction to envision their future.

The Youth Challenge programme broadens students’ horizons by informing them about the career opportunities available, particularly in their local area. Discovering businesses and interacting with professionals allows middle-school students to better understand the world of work, explore the diversity of professions and career paths,and more clearly project themselves into their future.

The final year of middle school marks a pivotal moment. Students begin to refine their career choices while facing new challenges: finding internships, writing a resume, and preparing for the oral exam of the Brevet (the French national diploma). These deadlines can be stressful, especially for students who are less comfortable with public speaking.

With the Youth Challenge programme, middle school students receive support in understanding the professional world and preparing for their exams through role- playing exercises and coaching sessions with professionals. This support boosts their confidence, helps them overcome anxiety, and prepares them to face the next steps of their journey in confidence.