800 young people from Marseille's social centers will discover the marine environment through a program initiated by the CMA CGM Foundation and the Léo Lagrange Mediterranean Federation

This partnership will enable 800 children and young people aged between 7 and 15 to go on "sea discovery" excursions between March and October 2024, on Wednesdays and during school holidays, starting with the spring holidays. It is one of the initiatives undertaken by the CMA CGM Foundation in partnership with Marseille-based associations to facilitate access to sport and the discovery of the marine environment for young people from all backgrounds.

Many children in Marseille are far from the marine environment and the opportunities it offers. Aware of this reality, the CMA CGM Foundation and the Léo Lagrange Federation are committed to bringing them closer to the sea and its heritage through extracurricular activities.

Hundreds of young people between the ages of 7 and 15 who attend the social centers run by the Léo Lagrange Federation will have the opportunity to take part in nautical activities supervised by Léo Lagrange Vacances' professional instructors: sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and so on. In addition to these experiences, environmental awareness programs will be carried out.

Since 1950, the Leo Lagrange Federation has been promoting education and lifelong learning to combat inequalities. It intervenes in the fields of early childhood, animation, and vocational training. With 7,000 employees and thousands of volunteers, the Léo Lagrange Federation helps more than 40,000 children to develop their full potential. Léo Lagrange Vacances is a sustainable and social tourism operator affiliated to the Léo Lagrange Federation. The Federation is committed to tourism that promotes citizenship, fights discrimination, gives access to holidays to as many people as possible, preserves the environment and enhances the territories.

The CMA CGM Foundation also renovates and develops sports facilities in Marseille to improve access to sport for all and contribute to the Olympic legacy:

• Renovation of several city stadiums in partnership with the Olympique de Marseille Foundation, the National Sports Agency and the City of Marseille. The first stadium, next to La Major Cathedral, was inaugurated in 2023.
• Support, for the past 4 years, for the "One Step Towards the Sea" program, which allows 150 children per year to participate in a swimming program developed by the Marseille Capital of the Sea association.
• Launching an introductory sailing program for 100 young Marseille residents in 2023 aboard the schooner Ahoy, skippered by Eric Bellion.
• Development of a gymnasium on the La Source site managed by the Massabielle association in the 3rd arrondissement.

Tanya Saadé Zeenny, President of the CMA CGM Foundation, said: "The values conveyed by sport are universal and are shared by the CMA CGM Foundation. Convinced of the educational value of discovering the sea and water activities, we are committed to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have access to a variety of experiences. It is the responsibility of foundations such as ours to contribute to the Olympic legacy, particularly sailing events, in the Marseille region.”

Elisabeth Majan, Director of Léo Lagrange Méditerranée, said : "Thanks to the commitment of the CMA CGM Foundation, many young people from Marseille will have the opportunity to discover the sea and take part in various water activities on Wednesdays and during the holidays. Through these experiences, Léo Lagrange Méditerranée will raise young people's awareness of environmental protection and contribute to the fight against inequalities".