Working together for more inclusive territories

Operating at the heart of French communities, the Michelin Corporate Foundation supports projects that strengthen social cohesion and equal opportunities. In Saône-et-Loire, near the Michelin site in Montceau, the Michelin Corporate Foundation supports the Weavers association, which is committed to the social and professional integration of exiled people. 

Training and valuing the talents of refugees

Upon arriving in France, many foreign nationals face significant professional demotion: their qualifications are rarely or never recognized, even though they possess strong technical, interpersonal, and professional skills.

Weavers is committed to restoring the value of these skills and supporting refugees in finding dignified and sustainable employment.

In 2025, the Michelin Corporate Foundation actively contributed to the success of this project by providing financial support for the implementation and development of training programs. 

The programs offered enabled each participant to take French classes, acquire professional soft skills, overcome peripheral barriers to employment (mobility, administrative procedures, access to rights, etc.), complete up to three internships to explore a profession and develop a solid career plan.

At the end of this program, the learners gained confidence and independence and are ready to enter the job market or pursue further vocational training. 

Deployment in a new territory

Building on these initial positive results with the employment and training support provided to 33 exiled individuals in the Saône-et-Loire region, Weavers aims to support 156 exiled individuals in this geographical area by 2028. 

The project’s deployment was a pivotal step for Weavers, marking the first time it had expanded its operations beyond the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The project allowed the organization to test and adapt its support model in a less densely populated area, strengthening local partnerships with stakeholders in employment, training, and social services. This expansion reinforced Weavers’ ability to pool its resources and validate the robustness of its business model in a new territory. 

By supporting initiatives like Weavers’, we affirm our commitment to equal opportunities, professional integration, and social cohesion. This partnership tangibly transforms life paths and contributes to the economic and human vitality of Saône-et-Loire.