Fusion Jeunesse

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Fusion Jeunesse

Promoters:

Gabriel Bran Lopez.

Country:

Canada

An organisation that hires University students or recent graduates to implement pedagogical projects that upgrade the education curriculum in elementary and high schools in order to engage and retain students.

What solution does the innovation propose?

Fusion Jeunesse (‘Youth Fusion’) aims to lower school dropout rates by creating continuous ties between the school system and the community in order to involve at-risk youth in innovative and meaningful educational projects that contribute to their learning, qualifications and social integration.

Projects give voice to those students who are most at risk of not graduating and build partnership-based systems that upgrade the education curriculum accordingly. Experiential learning programmes are then designed to supplement the core curriculum and creatively motivate school students to excel, get more involved in their academic success and strengthen their school spirit and sense of belonging.

Recognitions

SME of the Year Social Economy Award Coalition, Youth Chamber of Commerce in Quebec (2016). Innovation Award, Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l’innovation du Québec (2013). Gabriel Bran Lopez was recognised as the Social entrepreneur of the year by Ernst & Young (2011) and is an Ashoka Fellow (2011).

Impact evidence

Outputs

In 2016-2017, the programme involved over 15,000 youth in 177 schools and 227 project coordinators.

Outcomes

96% of school team members agree that activities support the development of self-esteem and confidence for the students.
77% state that activities contribute to increasing students’ involvement in school and community activities.

Sources

Data obtained through a survey conducted by the organisation (2016).

How does it work?

The organisation hires University students or recent graduates as coordinators and pairs them with school staff to implement in-school or extra-curricular projects, according to the school’s needs. Activities are then co-developed with high school students, fitting into different programme fields: arts and culture, video game creation, environmental design, fashion design, entrepreneurship, media and cinema, and robotics, science and technology. Projects are always based on hands-on learning and tied to the official education programme.

Students are mentored by the coordinator year-round to create a project they will present at the end of the school year. They also receive monthly visits from mentors who work in the industry the project is linked to.