Kickstart the regeneration of life in territories.
Our mission
The foundation's mission is to "Support entrepreneurial initiatives with a regenerative approach for real estate, with particular attention to the environment and, more generally, to nature and life."
It supports organizations of public interest that:
- Place the living at the heart of their actions,
- Support and energize life in all its forms,
- Enhance the capacity of socio-ecological systems to provide the ecosystem services they support.
It operates in mainland France, primarily in the territories where Ceetrus is established.
The foundation is under the supervision of the "Fondation de France", France’s leading philanthropic network.
Our commitments
The Créenso Prize, a social innovation created in partnership with IESEG
The national "Social Enterprise Creator" award was created in 2011 under the initiative of the Ceetrus Foundation and in partnership with IESEG, a management school in Lille and Paris.
Selected through a call for projects, social entrepreneurs who have founded their organization within the last 3 years benefit from the skill-based sponsorship of Master’s students for one academic term. At the end of the program, the project leaders pitch their ideas in front of a panel of experts organized by the foundation: a grant of €25,000 is awarded to the first prize, and €5,000 to a special mention.
This award thus expands its network and doubles the impact of the Ceetrus Foundation’s actions.
The Ceetrus Foundation is a signatory of the French coalition of foundations for the climate
A coalition launched in November 2021 during COP26 by the French Center of Funds and Foundations to mobilize coordinated action from foundations and endowment funds on climate issues.
By signing the CFFC manifesto, the foundation has committed to:
- Reducing its negative impacts on the climate,
- Redirecting additional resources toward programs and/or projects addressing the fight against climate change, either individually, or collectively with other foundations and/or other stakeholders.
- The Ceetrus Foundation thus offers enhanced support to help entrepreneurs address ecological transition challenges, in the form of a bonus of up to €5,000.
Founding member of the TILT Movement
The Tilt Movement is a collective philanthropy initiative launched in 2022 to support organizations serving the public interest in their ecological transition. It brings together a group of foundations that pool their resources to encourage and support non-profits in their environmental commitments.
More info: https://mouvement-tilt.com/
Some projects
supported
La Réserve
Transformation of a commercial brownfield into a demonstrator of the ecological and solidarity transition
The project led by the association Nœux Environnement aims to transform a former commercial brownfield into an innovative third place dedicated to ecological and food transitions. This future space will host activities such as organic market gardening, social inclusion programs, training, and sustainable food initiatives, while creating a vibrant community hub open to local residents, especially the most vulnerable.
Designed as a demonstrator for the transition, it will implement concrete solutions: soil de-sealing, renaturation, and ambitious energy retrofitting. The project is fully aligned with the Rev3 initiative (the Third Industrial Revolution in Hauts-de-France), which aims to turn the region into a model of sustainable, low-carbon, and inclusive development. It also has a replicable ambition, by testing practices that can be applied to other commercial brownfields in the area.
Quanta
Expansion Project of a Third Place for Social Inclusion through Culture
Eco-responsible construction site for the extension and upgrading of the Petitprez Farm in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, to accommodate more beneficiaries and under better conditions for this ESAT (a workplace for adults on the autism spectrum or with psychological disorders) and ACI (an integration project for people distanced from employment).
Caracol
Temporary, Multicultural, and Solidarity-Based Shared Housing in Transitional Vacant Spaces
Caracol is launching a new temporary shared housing project in Arcueil, in partnership with EPF Île-de-France, within a former veterinary clinic. The project includes two apartments hosting 9 housemates—mainly artists, artisans, and freelancers—for a period of three years. Beyond housing, Caracol is developing a shared creative space on the ground and first floors to support the artistic and professional activities of the residents, in collaboration with partners such as the Cité internationale des Arts and Plateau Urbain. This innovative initiative combines solidarity-based housing with local cultural vibrancy.
Novo Loco
Solidarity-based real estate company in favor of inclusive housing and social innovation.
Novo Loco is a socially responsible property company dedicated to supporting the social and solidarity economy (SSE) through real estate. Its mission is to acquire, renovate, and provide suitable premises for non-profit or public-interest organizations, offering them fair and sustainable financial conditions.
The supported project involved the acquisition and renovation of a former miner’s house in Liévin (62) to create inclusive housing for seven people with intellectual disabilities, supported by APEI de Lens et Environs.
Jardiniers de Macheville
Production School Training for Careers in Life Sciences
The support of Ceetrus fondation helped in the development of outdoor spaces: creation of cool zones, planting of vegetation, and installation of benches for student comfort; development of outdoor work areas (sandbox, showroom, rest area, nursery, ornamental garden, irrigation and composting); as well as the depaving of the parking lot to promote rainwater infiltration. The project also includes the artistic creation of a mosaic by the students.
Solidarité Femmes 13
Development of a New Shelter for Women Victims of Violence
The project involves the renovation of a house in Fos-sur-Mer, with the capacity to accommodate 3 women and 6 children, as well as an additional room for emergency, short-term stays—for instance, in urgent situations that arise on weekends when no immediate solution is available. This house is also designed to meet the needs of women and their children as they rebuild their lives in a calm, pleasant environment, supported by our team through attentive listening, psychological support, art therapy, group sports and cultural outings, and many other activities.
