The army created a foundation, managed by civilians, to work for the cohesion of French society and promote the values of commitment, in a context of the return of the threat of war in Europe.
Recognized as a public utility, the Army Foundation, created at the end of 2025 but officially launched on Thursday May 21 during a dinner bringing together potential patrons, will have the mission of financing projects carried out by associations promoting different forms of commitment in favor of national cohesion.
“This call for commitment is part of the Army’s mission. We live by this notion of commitment, which must go beyond armies.”declared the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Pierre Schill, believing that the feedback from the Ukrainian war illustrates the relevance of the maxim “Armies win battles, but nations win wars.”.
Targeted mentoring actions
“If the nation is no longer a nation, if society is no longer society, everything can come undone.”declared Philippe Brassac, president of the foundation and former general director of the Crédit Agricole bank. During its first months of existence, for example, it helped an association providing training in sports training to young people from priority neighborhoods, allowing its beneficiaries to spend a few days in regiments, or even supported a mentoring association for young people from rural areas deprived of opportunities.
Among the first sponsors are the Michelin foundation, the Crédit Agricole group, the Amaury group and the Ardian company. “Army representatives represent one third of the board, and the other two thirds are civilians.”explains general director Eric Campos, also from Crédit Agricole.
This launch comes in the context of the return of war to Europe, where several countries are trying to strengthen the spirit of defense of their populations, in particular by restoring forms of military services.
