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For the sixth year in a row, first-year students at IÉSEG have joined forces to support UNICEF. The 2026 edition will be remembered as a milestone: with €132,447 raised, the Lille and Paris – La Défense campuses achieved their best result since the beginning of the partnership between the School and the child rights organization in 2021. In total, IÉSEG students have raised more than €550,000 over the past six years.

Beyond this collective achievement, the project reflects IÉSEG’s commitment to educating students who are able to use their skills to serve causes of public interest, while developing a concrete understanding of the major social and humanitarian challenges facing the world today.

“This result is historic, as it is the highest amount raised since the launch of our partnership. Beyond the figure itself, thousands of children will see their lives changed thanks to your support,” emphasizes Ann AVRIL, Executive Director of UNICEF France, in a thank-you letter sent to each student.

Understanding the world before taking action

The Solidarity Project is part of the “Exploring Diversity” semester followed by first-year students in the Grande École Program. Designed as an immersive learning experience, it encourages students to discover human, social and cultural realities that are far removed from their everyday lives, while developing essential academic and professional skills.

Throughout the semester, students work across disciplines on four key areas of expertise: project management, legal responsibility, creativity, and cultural diversity. Conferences, workshops, coaching sessions, and discussions with UNICEF teams further enrich this learning experience.

“The first ambition of the Solidarity Project is to enable students to discover realities they would probably never encounter in their everyday lives. Before even talking about fundraising, the goal is to understand the challenges faced by the children and communities supported by UNICEF. This awareness-raising phase encourages them to reflect on international solidarity, cultural diversity, and responsibility. We aim to educate students who are able to understand the complexity of the world and recognize the impact their future decisions may have on society,” explain Nicolas JEAN, Professor of Economics, and Catherine BELIAEFF, Professor of Business Exploration, both coordinators of the Solidarity Project at IÉSEG.

This year, students learned about the challenges faced by children in two very different contexts: the fight against malnutrition in Venezuela and strengthening young people’s resilience to climate change in Vietnam.

Turning awareness into commitment

Following this discovery and awareness-building phase, students take action. Divided into 245 project teams, nearly 1,200 students designed and implemented their own fundraising and awareness strategies to promote the supported programs and collect donations. Over several weeks, they organized field initiatives in companies, shops, cultural venues, and during sporting events. Others opted for more original formats, such as chess tournaments, charity karaoke nights, or fundraising bingo events.

Each group also had its own fundraising page and was required to develop a genuine communication strategy to raise awareness among their networks, mobilize support, and encourage donations.

“What is particularly interesting is that students become the true leaders of their own project. They have to convince, explain, bring people together, and find solutions when they face challenges. Organizing field activities, meeting with the public, or reaching out to partners requires courage and perseverance. They develop project management, communication, and teamwork skills, but above all, they realize that they can create a real impact when they work together,” continues Nicolas JEAN.

This hands-on dimension is one of the program’s greatest strengths. Students do not simply study project management principles or social responsibility issues: they experience them directly through a concrete initiative supporting an international cause.

A record-breaking fundraising campaign supporting the most vulnerable children

This exceptional mobilization raised €132,447, the highest amount collected since the partnership between IÉSEG and UNICEF began.

“For more than five months, you have shown commitment, determination, and energy. You have managed more than 240 fundraising campaigns, raised awareness among those around you, and rallied support. Thanks to your dedication, you have raised €132,447. This achievement is historic and demonstrates young people’s ability to mobilize around causes greater than themselves,” says Ann AVRIL.

This new record brings the total amount raised by IÉSEG students since the beginning of the partnership in 2021 to more than €550,000.

Concrete projects in Venezuela and Vietnam

The funds raised this year will support two UNICEF programs in regions facing major challenges.

In Venezuela, in the state of Zulia, UNICEF teams are working with the most vulnerable children and communities to combat malnutrition. Through this program, 5,000 children under the age of five will benefit from nutritional interventions, screening, and appropriate care. Awareness-raising activities will also be carried out with families, while local healthcare professionals will receive additional support.

In Vietnam, in the mountainous province of Cao Bang, the supported program aims to strengthen young people’s resilience in the face of climate change. Around 15,000 children and adolescents will take part in learning activities focused on risk prevention and adaptation to natural disasters. The project will also include training for 200 teachers, 200 local leaders, and support for 1,000 parents.

“In Venezuela, in the state of Zulia, you will enable 5,000 children under five to benefit from concrete nutritional support. In Vietnam, in Cao Bang province, 15,000 children and teenagers will develop knowledge and skills to cope with climate-related challenges. Behind these figures are children, families, and entire communities who will have additional resources to build a better future,” highlights Ann AVRIL.

A partnership that gives meaning to learning

For the past six years, the partnership between IÉSEG and UNICEF has brought together the School’s educational ambitions and the organization’s mission to protect children’s rights. The semester concludes with the “Solidarithon,” a solidarity hackathon during which students work in teams to design projects addressing a concrete challenge proposed by UNICEF. This year, they focused on education-related issues in Uganda following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, developing solutions that incorporated budgeting, planning, risk analysis, and long-term sustainability.

“Beyond its social impact, this project is a valuable opportunity for our students to develop their soft skills. By working together, they experience firsthand the richness of diversity within their project teams and learn how to turn it into a driver of collaboration. This experience of ‘working better together’ is a valuable asset that they will be able to draw on throughout their academic journey and future professional careers,” explains Catherine BELIAEFF.

“This project perfectly embodies our ambition to educate managers who are capable of using their skills to create a positive impact. Students learn methods, tools, and practical expertise, but they also discover that commitment, active listening, and an understanding of human realities are essential dimensions of their future role as decision-makers,” concludes Nicolas JEAN.

Through this initiative, IÉSEG students do more than simply raise funds. For one semester, they become ambassadors for a cause greater than themselves and discover the tangible impact their commitment can have. It is a transformative experience that creates a lasting impact for thousands of children around the world.