Renault Foundation marks 25 years of corporate philanthropy as its mobility mission goes global
Created in France in 2001, the Renault Foundation marks 25 years by shifting from engineering education to mobility as a lever for inclusion, a mission now shared by six sister foundations abroad.
- Nearly 80,000
- Nearly 200,000
- 7
- €1 million for 35 community projects
What Happened
The Renault Foundation was established in France in 2001 and has changed its focus without losing sight of its guiding principles. It began with higher education and excellence programs for young engineers and managers with a strong international dimension, then between 2020 and 2023 refocused on employment and professional integration. Since 2024 a broader roadmap has framed its work, summed up as "So that mobility brings us closer," and 2026 marks its 25th anniversary.
The Renault Foundation is established in France, initially focused on higher education and excellence programs for young engineers and managers.
The Foundation refocuses on employment and professional integration: driving licenses, micro-business creation and reducing the digital divide.
A new roadmap broadens corporate philanthropy around three pillars: Safety, Support and Safety rescue.
The 25th anniversary is marked in France by a photo exhibition, an association village, a solidarity challenge and the Dérap'pas evening at the Grand Rex.
- Safety: preventing risks and protecting road users.
- Support: promoting inclusive mobility.
- Safety rescue: supporting those who step in when emergencies arise.
Nearly 80,000people
The Foundation targets nearly 200,000 beneficiaries by 2028 across the countries where the Group operates.
- Argentina: the Renault Argentina Foundation, established in 1960, runs a Community Program around the Santa Isabel plant that has reached 620 beneficiaries over six years, delivering more than 1,300 hours of training through 37 workshops.
- Brazil: the Renault Institute, established in 2010, runs the Geração Futuro program for young people and adults in administration and automotive mechanics; since 2019, 921 people have graduated, with an average employment rate of 71%.
- Colombia: the Fundación Renault, established in 2014, helps female heads of household obtain a C1 driving license and find transport-sector work; 29 women are in the first cohort, with 105 hours of driving training and more than 34 hours of soft skills.
- Spain: the Renault Group Spain Foundation, established in 1963, runs a Safe and Sustainable Mobility Program for Young People with AESLEME and the Princess of Girona Foundation's Talent Tour; more than 15,000 young people took part in 2025 and 2026.
- Morocco: the Renault Morocco Foundation, established in 2018, runs a school mobility initiative in Fahs-Anjra near the Tangier plant that lets more than 2,200 middle and high school students reach their schools.
- Romania: the Fundația Dacia pentru România, established in 2017, allocated a €1 million fund to 35 community projects in the first edition of its Mobility Matters program in 2025-2026, reaching 13,544 beneficiaries.
- Dérap'pas, an evening dedicated to preventing road violence, held at the Grand Rex.
- A photo exhibition showcasing the stories of beneficiaries.
- An association village bringing together organizations from the three pillars, with interactive workshops for employees.
- A solidarity step challenge supporting three organizations: Fondation des Femmes, Acadia and À vélo sans âge.
The Foundation describes its method as "doing with": it starts by identifying the needs expressed by non-profit organizations and develops projects together with them. A corporate foundation is an organization established by a company to support projects serving the public interest, within a defined framework and for a specific period of time. Its work is structured in particular around road safety, inclusive mobility, professional integration, support for vulnerable people and assistance to emergency responders.
Why this matters
The Foundation says it supported nearly 80,000 people in 2024 and aims for nearly 200,000 by 2028, so its shift from training engineers to funding driving licences and inclusive mobility directly touches jobseekers, students and vulnerable groups in the countries where Renault Group operates. It also shows how the carmaker presents itself locally, through seven foundations rather than one.
Terms in This Story
- corporate foundation
- An organization established by a company to support projects serving the public interest, within a defined framework and for a specific period of time.
- professional integration
- Helping people move into employment, training or greater independence, for example through driving licenses, micro-business creation or digital skills.
- inclusive mobility
- Transport and mobility solutions designed to remove the barriers that keep people from jobs, education, services or greater independence.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.