The Audemars Piguet Foundations are committed to promoting the autonomy and resilience of members of civil society, notably through organisational development (OD). To this end, they are supporting a programme run by the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), which is helping to structure a group of organisations working to foster socio-professional inclusion in Marseille.
Alongside their key areas of focus – the environment, social equity and education – the Audemars Piguet Foundations are committed to promoting the autonomy and resilience of members of civil society, notably through organisational development (OD). To this end, they are supporting a programme run by the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), which is helping to structure a group of organisations working to foster socio-professional inclusion in Marseille. During a field mission with my colleagues Huda Bakhet and Simon Mériaux, Programme Managers, we met up with two of these organisations – Appel d’Aire and Wake up Café – to better understand their work, meet their beneficiaries and gather concrete feedback on the support provided by the IECD.
Appel d’Aire: a place for rebuilding lives
Founded in the Hauts-de-France region in 1997, Appel d’Aire was set up to train prisoners in metalworking through development projects. In 2002, it expanded to Marseille, where it was hosted by the Directorate for the Judicial Protection of Youth, and extended its scope to include a new target group: young people aged 16 to 25 facing educational, legal, social or family difficulties.
Since 2021, Appel d’Aire has been based at the Comptoir de la Victorine site in Marseille’s 3rd district, where it runs a hands-on joinery and metalwork training centre. Appel d’Aire gives its beneficiaries – who have the status of vocational trainees – an unconditional welcome and they can join or leave whenever they see fit, giving them the time they need to rebuild their lives and shape their future. "There are no other organisations like Appel d’Aire in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. We are often an essential step before a professional integration project or an apprenticeship," explained the organisation’s director, Julien Acquaviva.
While training in the woodwork and metalwork trades provides valuable technical skills, it is also an opportunity to rebuild self-esteem and re-establish social codes that may have been forgotten or are unfamiliar. "The first time I went to Appel d’Aire, I didn’t like it," explained Damien[1], a young trainee. "I didn’t like the atmosphere. The greeting process, looking everyone straight in the eye and shaking hands, was strange to me. I went back a second time anyway, and a year and a half later I’m still here."
For Damien, as for the other young people, each day begins with a group warm-up to music, led by members of the group in turn. This routine provides an opportunity to refocus and practise public speaking. "At first, I found it hard to speak in public," said Damien. "Now it’s OK. And I also manage to be on time."
Accompanied by his trainer, he took us on a tour of the joinery workshop where he works. Perfectly at ease with his tools and equipment, he guided us with confidence and explained things clearly. "We work on customer orders. Today, we’re making a bench. The wood is Douglas fir, a softwood tree. We start by cutting the slats, then we run them through the jointer to make sure they’re straight." Each technical gesture is accompanied by rigorous training focused on attention to detail, self-control and cooperation. The trainers correct their trainees with patience and kindness. The objects they produce must be flawless. The trainees take great pride in the fact that the objects they make are much-awaited, useful and gratefully received.
[1] The first names of some of the people mentioned in this article have been changed to protect their identity.
In the metal workshop, we met Mateo, who was making a staircase handrail. Not much of a talker, he immediately set to work marking out measurements with a scriber, cutting with a bandsaw, then shaping with a flat metal bender. Although he had arrived late that morning, he was allowed to stay for the day. "As a rule, late arrivals are not tolerated. You either need a valid excuse, or must be deemed not yet ‘able’ to arrive on time. Here, the trainees also learn how to respect schedules and rules. It’s not easy at first, but they eventually get the hang of it," explained his trainer. Lamia, also a trainee at Appel d’Aire, was preparing to start an apprenticeship with the Fédération des Compagnons du Tour de France[2]. She explained: "I used to have very serious problems, especially with addiction. I couldn’t even get up in the morning. The team always let me come back, and I eventually managed to be on time. I’ve found a real vocation here. When I was late, it annoyed me to have to leave. I’ve made a big effort and I’m proud of myself."
Further on in the workshop, Omar was excited to tell us about his current project: a window guardrail featuring vertical bars and decorative elements. "I already knew a bit about plumbing and welding, which I had done in Senegal, where I’m from. Here, for example, I’ve learnt how to make a chamfer: it’s important for the weld to penetrate properly and for the assembly to be solid. The trainers are really good teachers; they explain things as many times as necessary. My French has also improved. Here, they take me as I am. Everyone is treated the same."
Appel d’Aire hosts around ten young people at a time to ensure it provides high-quality support. This individual attention is all the more important as the beneficiaries often arrive with some very heavy personal baggage. The association’s support doesn’t stop at the end of the course: the doors are always open. "Appel d’Aire has also helped me on a personal level, to find accommodation, pass my driving test, see a therapist, and so on. They have a great network. I don’t know any other organisation that does this," said Lamia.
Expanding further is not an objective for Appel d’Aire, as it would require too much energy to duplicate such a demanding model. Spin-offs are more likely to come about through the sharing of experience between organisations. This is where the IECD plays a key role. "Bringing support professionals together is crucial," explained Julien Acquaviva. "We share our practices, ethics and vision. And it helps us to better understand what we’re doing." Appel d’Aire plays an active role in the group sessions organised by the IECD.
Two days after our visit, we met up with Julien again for a day of discussions with around twenty of the region’s social inclusion organisations, hosted by the IECD. These organisations share the same challenges: a lack of recognition for their work, often linked to the image projected by their beneficiaries, who are judged before they are listened to or understood; an intense emotional burden and difficulties in switching off at the end of the day after dealing with life experiences marked by violence, poverty or abandonment; and ever-increasing budgetary constraints, coupled with growing administrative pressure. These discussions are essential for the respite they afford the attendees, who support each other, reaffirm their roles and keep moving forward.
[2] The Fédération des Compagnons du Tour de France is a traditional institution dedicated to apprenticeships and training in manual and technical arts and crafts. It is highly renowned in this field in France.
Wake up Café: rebuilding confidence and social connections
Wake up Café was founded in 2014 and opened in Marseille in 2021. It helps people in prison or recently released from prison to rejoin society without re-offending. Its action is based on comprehensive support founded on trust, kindness and high standards. The organisation has grown around an active community of ex-prisoners, volunteers and committed professionals. Now present in a number of towns across France, it works ‘inside and outside the walls’ – its meetings and programmes begin in prison and continue at its various locations – in collaboration with prisons, government departments and more than 400 partner companies. This strong regional network enables best practices to be shared and personalised support to be offered for an unlimited period of time. The re-offending rate within five years of release from prison is 12.6% among beneficiaries, compared with an average of 60%.
We arrived at lunchtime to a warm welcome in a colourful environment. In the kitchen, two ‘wakers’[1] prepared lunch with members of the team while we visited the premises. Positivity was omnipresent, even on the walls, where inspirational quotes, group photos and testimonials recounted past successes. There was a real family atmosphere. "Here, everyone feels safe, just like at home," said one member of the team. Muriel Hecker, Director of Education, explained: "Wakers will often call us before they do something stupid. They trust us and know that we trust them too. They don’t want to disappoint us. We have an honest relationship." Walid, a beneficiary who recently joined the programme, said: "When I arrived at Wake up Café, I instantly knew it was different. They help you do things, but they won’t do them for you. It makes you independent. And they help to reestablish a routine. Before coming here, I was a complete night owl."
Wake up Café offers a structured programme of workshops focused on professional development, personal development and rebuilding social connections. All these dimensions are echoed in weekly activities. We attended a ‘café philo’ led by an external speaker. The topics discussed were chosen by the wakers, for example, "Are women misunderstood?" and "Are we truly free?" Despite the moderator’s best efforts, not everyone contributed equally, but the speakers were always respectful. Everyone listened without passing judgement. "Philosophy isn’t my thing, but I still take part," explained Bernard with a smile. The discussions were lively and profound, punctuated by disagreements and laughter. The aim was to provide food for thought and encourage social interaction.
Wake up Café is an open community where visitors can come and go as they please. Attendees are given an unconditional welcome, but the commitment is reciprocal. "Here, we take, but we also give", explained the Director of Education. This principle underpins a dynamic of mutual support and leading by example. The team includes a number of trainers who have been in prison themselves. They return to share their experiences, providing legitimacy to inspire newcomers. The possible paths are embodied in a variety of profiles, from business owners to former prisoners who are now elected officials, broadening the range of possibilities for wakers.
The IECD plays a structuring role for the organisation. Its support covers a number of areas: enhancing teaching methods, developing skills assessment tools, professionalising teams and strategic thinking about extending the model. One of its major contributions has been the creation, at Quai Liberté[2], of skills charts and a training path designed to better monitor wakers’ progress and acknowledge their achievements at each stage. The aim is to replicate this work at other sites, particularly in Marseille. The IECD also supports the Wake up Café teams by providing a space for reflection and co-construction. This is essential for continuously adjusting support practices, reflecting on managerial issues and maintaining the quality of support provided to a vulnerable population. "Working with the IECD enabled us to clarify and formalise what we were doing," said Muriel. "Now, we’re building customised tools that will enable us to extend our approach." The Marseille project is part of a drive to duplicate Wake up Café’s activities in other cities, such as Paris, with initiatives like Quai Liberté. "What’s also very important is that the IECD helps us take care of our teams, as we need to nurture their motivation and well-being," concluded Muriel. "By enabling us to meet and exchange ideas, the IECD gives us a real sense of belonging. It provides a forum for sharing experiences and practices, fostering a better understanding of each other and creating new synergies for our beneficiaries. Raising awareness like this is vital, particularly for those working in social inclusion, who often receive little attention despite their expertise in the field."
Through the support they provide to entities like the IECD, which assist NGOs in their organisational development, the Audemars Piguet Foundations enable these organisations to adapt to constantly changing environments, where the needs of the people they help also continue to evolve. This gives beneficiaries better access to the conditions and resources they need to improve their quality of life – an objective at the heart of their missions.
[1] ‘Waker’ [Wakeur in French] is the name given by Wake up Café to its beneficiaries. A ‘waker’ is someone who has served a prison sentence and is determined to rejoin society and build a new life.
[2] The Wake up Café restaurant in Paris, which employs former prisoners.
