Choisis ta Planète, an association focused on environmental education and solidarity, sets up in Lyon and rolls out its programs across the Lyon area
Turn young people’s eco-anxiety into creative energy is Choisis ta Planète’s objective. Originally from Roubaix, this association dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable development has opened a branch in Lyon, with the support of the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia.
Convinced that education is the primary lever for addressing the challenges of climate change, Choisis ta Planète works in schools to raise awareness among younger generations about sustainable development. The goal is to give them the tools they need to better understand the world and become active participants in shaping their future. Founded in 2003 in Roubaix (Hauts-de-France), the association opened its first Lyon branch in the 1st arrondissement in September 2023.
Choisis ta Planète is part of the 2023 cohort of the “Implantation” support program jointly led by the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia.
Choisis ta Planète, an international solidarity association committed to the environment
Since 2012, Choisis ta Planète has co-produced short films and documentaries with various associations in France and around the world. The objective is twofold: to help associations communicate about their work and their vision of the world, and to enable children to understand sustainable development in a fun and engaging way. Its programs target both populations in developing countries and the general public, as well as French schoolchildren. To date, Choisis ta Planète has produced 28 short films and 10 documentaries, broadcast in more than 80 countries in schools, on television, and at festivals.
Through its “Challenge Planète” initiative, the association provides free, year-long support to 4th- and 5th-grade classes (CM1 and CM2), guiding them through the creation of an eco-citizen project. Since 2020, more than 10,000 children have benefited from this program.
Choisis ta Planète is certified by the “La France s’engage” foundation. It brings together a collective of committed stakeholders focused on environmental challenges. Beyond its positive environmental impact, the association also carries a strong message of solidarity. Its message is simple: education is everyone’s responsibility.
By engaging the entire ecosystem—national education authorities, local governments, businesses, and associations—Choisis ta Planète creates a positive and virtuous local dynamic.
The Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia support the scaling of solutions that promote environmental education and solidarity
The Lyon Metropolitan Authority pays close attention to initiatives that foster eco-citizenship within its territory and promote international solidarity. After responding to the “Implantation” call for projects jointly led by the Lyon Metropolitan Authority, ONLYLYON Invest, and Ronalpia, Choisis ta Planète benefited from tailored support from the three organizations to develop its Lyon branch.
For example, ONLYLYON Invest helped the association integrate into the Lyon ecosystem by connecting it with public institutions, business networks, and H7, a hub specializing in responsible entrepreneurship. It also shared the association’s announcements within its network.
“I needed a better understanding of the local context, the dynamics between the different stakeholders, and the specific needs of the territory.”
— Lisa Mancia, development officer for the Lyon branch of Choisis ta Planète
Read the full interview with Lisa Mancia on ronalpia.fr. (in French)
The Lyon area, a favorable environment for rolling out educational programs on sustainable development
The Lyon metropolitan area offers a favorable environment for deploying educational programs like those run by Choisis ta Planète. In addition to the support provided to ensure a successful local establishment, the area is a strong educational and economic hub. It is therefore no coincidence that the association chose the Lyon region as its first experimental area for scaling up. The goal is to build on this initial experience by 2025 in order to open additional branches across France.
Since the start of the 2023–2024 school year, Choisis ta Planète has already supported 40 classes and raised awareness among more than 900 students in the Lyon area. Its business model is based on corporate sponsorship: a company sponsors a local class for €950 (eligible for a tax deduction). This enables a facilitator to run a year-long program with the teacher on selected themes and to develop a positive-impact project with the students.
Based in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement, the association aims to strengthen its presence across the metropolitan area and consolidate its business model by the start of the 2024 school year. To achieve this, it is seeking committed partners within the Greater Lyon ecosystem.
Local businesses and associations: would you like to support student projects in your area by addressing specific needs? Get involved and contact Choisis ta Planète to become a partner.