Created by AXA with the support of the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, the Claude Bébéar Grand Prize honors the Group's founder and his vision of corporate responsibility in society:
"There can be no efficient economy without responsibility, no prosperous society without solidarity, and no democratic life without civic spirit."
The Grand Prize supports associations that promote these values among young people, through innovative initiatives that address concrete needs and strengthen their confidence in the future.
Discover the nonprofit nominees and vote from October 12 to November 8 (presentation in French)
Vote (new window)A Pioneer in Corporate Social Responsibility
From its very inception, AXA has championed the values of solidarity and protection. A visionary, Claude Bébéar extended these values beyond the insurance business, paving the way for the civic engagement of corporate and their employees, and for the fight against inequalities.
His successors, Henri de Castries and then Thomas Buberl, have continued this vision. Today, it remains the guiding compass of the AXA Group and its teams.
Daring to Commit to Society, Opening Doors, Creating a Tangible Impact
This legacy sets the course for the Claude Bébéar Grand Prize, an award designed to amplify the impact of associations guiding the next generation on their path to autonomy and civic engagement. They empower young people with the means to shape their own future and society.
The Prize focuses on two areas of action:
Civic engagement - Fostering informed citizens who can participate in democratic life, think critically and resist misinformation;
Equal opportunities – Promoting access for all young people to educational, cultural and social opportunities, to reduce inequalities and strengthen social cohesion.
Accelerating and Scaling Up Innovative Initiatives
The Grand Prize recognizes two categories of projects, which correspond to two stages in the development of initiatives.
Their names echo two words associated with AXA's founder: audacity and conquest.
The Audacity Award is aimed at nonprofits leading an innovative and ambitious initiative in need of acceleration. The winner will receive 100,000 euros over two years (50,000 euros per year), as well as dedicated support.
The three nonprofits in the running are:
Lumières sur l'info, with its TropMytho truck that travels to meet the public and help them understand current events;
Melting Pot, which brings democracy to life in local neighborhoods;
Graine d'orateur, which uses the power of public speaking to give young people in Seine-Saint-Denis a voice.
The Conquest Award is intended for nonprofits that are already making a significant impact and are ready to expand their efforts nationwide. The winner will receive 200,000 euros over two years (100,000 euros per year), as well as dedicated support.
The three nonprofits in the running are:
Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders), with its Microbibli initiative which provides libraries to isolated communities;
1001mots, which helps parents whose first language is not French foster their child's language development;
Le Sens de l'École, which helps students in priority areas rediscover the values and joy of school.
Participatory Philanthropy Through a Public Vote
The public is invited to help select the winners of the Claude Bébéar Grand Prize.
From October 12 to November 8, 2026, everyone can vote twice on the Claude Bébéar Grand Prize platform: once for the Audacity Award and once for the Conquest Award.
The winners will be announced on December 3, 2026.
Equal Opportunities: a Founding Commitment, a Living Conviction
Associations are on the ground. They identify the needs, devise solutions and implement them. Our mission is to give them the resources to either emerge or scale their impact. And by involving the public in choosing the winners of the Claude Bébéar Grand Prize, we offer everyone the opportunity to support their actions and to play an active role in their commitment.
Clément Rouxel General Delegate of the AXA Foundation for Human Progress
Claude Bébéar
Born on July 29, 1935, a graduate of the École polytechnique, Claude Bébéar joined the Anciennes Mutuelles d'assurance in Rouen in 1958. He became its CEO in 1975 and, in less than a generation, transformed this small mutual insurer from Normandy into a global insurance giant.
A pioneer in corporate philanthropy, he created the Institut du Mécénat Humanitaire, which later became Les entreprises pour la Cité. He launched AXA Hearts in Action to encourage employees to engage in social and solidarity initiatives. Throughout his life, he championed a vision of business as a committed actor in society. He founded the Institut Montaigne and initiated the anonymous CV.
He passed away on November 4, 2025, at the age of 90.
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