The Army has established a foundation, created by civilians, to work towards social cohesion in 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, established at the end of 2025 but officially launched on Thursday, May 21 during a dinner gathering potential donors, will be tasked with financing projects carried out by associations promoting various forms of commitment in favor of national cohesion.
“This call to commitment is part of the mission of the army. We live by this notion of commitment, which must go beyond the armies,” said General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the Army, noting that the experience of the war in Ukraine illustrates the relevance of the maxim “Armies win battles, but nations win wars.”
Actions of targeted mentorship
“If the nation is no longer a nation, if society is no longer society, everything can fall apart,” said Philippe Brassac, president of the foundation and former CEO of Crédit Agricole bank. In its early months of existence, for example, it helped an association providing training in sports coaching to young people in priority neighborhoods, allowing beneficiaries to spend a few days in regiments, or supported a mentoring association for young people in rural areas lacking opportunities.
Among the initial donors are the Michelin Foundation, the Crédit Agricole Group, the Amaury Group, and the Ardian company. “Representatives of the army make up a third of the board of directors, and the other two-thirds are civilians,” explained General Manager Eric Campos, who also comes from Crédit Agricole.
This launch comes at a time when war is returning to Europe, with several countries seeking to strengthen the defense spirit of their populations, notably by reinstating forms of military service.
