The Legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

1. Committed Games: Creating jobs, leveraging the social and solidarity economy, and generating opportunities for SMEs

Abstract

This chapter highlights the achievements and innovations of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in meeting the employment and skills demands necessary to deliver the Games, while simultaneously creating opportunities for disadvantaged groups and individuals distant from the labour market. It also showcases efforts to strengthen the capacity of local micro, small and medium-sized (MSMEs), including those in the circular, social, and solidarity economy, by facilitating their access to procurement opportunities.

What is the issue?

When well-planned and implemented, major sports, business and cultural events can bring immediate and longer-term local development benefits. While major events can provide immediate economic benefits through infrastructure enhancement, jobs associated with the event and the awarding of contracts to local businesses, these events can also serve as a platform to address broader, long-term development challenges. They can offer pathways to employment for underrepresented groups, those far from the labour market, and young people by integrating tailored training, apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities into event preparations and operations. Such initiatives enhance employability and foster skills development that extend beyond the event itself. Furthermore, major events can strengthen the capacity of local SMEs including circular, social and solidarity economy entities, by enabling them to access procurement opportunities (either directly or through subcontracting arrangements), improve qualifications, and access new markets. When strategically planned, global events leave a lasting legacy of inclusion, skills enhancement, and business growth that contributes to sustainable local development.

However, common challenges need to be addressed to help MSMEs benefit from large-scale events, including complex procurement processes, limited awareness of opportunities and difficulty meeting event standards. MSMEs may also face financial constraints as they often operate with limited human resources, tight budgets and cash flow, making it difficult to manage upfront investments needed to participate in major events, such as hiring staff, purchasing equipment, or fulfilling large orders. MSMEs may also find it difficult to compete with large enterprises on pricing, capacity, or technical capability. Many opportunities associated with major events are temporary, lasting only during the preparation and delivery phases of the event. MSMEs may hesitate to invest time and resources in short-lived projects with limited potential for long-term returns. After the event, MSMEs may struggle to sustain the momentum, integrate into larger supply chains, or leverage their experience for future growth. To address these barriers, hosts need to simplify procurement processes, enhance communication and outreach, and provide capacity-building initiatives to help MSMEs meet quality and sustainability requirements. Financial support, such as grants or subsidies, can ease upfront costs, while promoting partnerships between MSMEs and larger firms can improve access to supply chains. Developing legacy frameworks to sustain MSME engagement beyond the event are also important for maximising their economic impact.

Similarly, there are significant challenges in maximising employment and skills opportunities for disadvantaged groups and those far from the labour market. Barriers include a mismatch between available roles and the skills of target groups, limited access to information about opportunities, and the temporary nature of many event-related jobs. Personal barriers, such as lack of childcare or housing instability, complicate consistent participation. Stigma and discrimination, coupled with insufficient training programmes that fail to address specific needs, also limit the inclusivity of employment initiatives. Furthermore, fragmented co-ordination between stakeholders reduces the potential for long-term impact, while difficulties in measuring outcomes hinder accountability and improvement.

To overcome these challenges, hosts need to put in place targeted training programmes tailored to the needs of disadvantaged groups, ensuring alignment with event job requirements and long-term labour market needs. Inclusive communication strategies and wraparound support services, such as childcare and transport subsidies, can help address personal and logistical barriers. Hosts need to set clear targets for engaging disadvantaged communities and promote partnerships with employers and community organisations. Investing in transferable skills training and long-term career development, combined with systems to monitor and evaluate outcomes, contribute to a sustainable social legacy that benefits disadvantaged groups beyond the event itself.

Labour rights and safety on construction sites are critical challenges for major event hosts, given the scale and complexity of infrastructure projects required. Ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, preventing exploitation such as underpayment or excessive working hours, and safeguarding the rights of migrant and vulnerable workers are essential to fostering fair and ethical working conditions. Hosts must enforce strict labour regulations, and collaborate with contractors, unions, and international organisations to uphold workers’ rights and minimise risks of accidents and abuse.

International good practice principles can help global events hosts to maximise social and economic impact. The OECD Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development and related Toolkit and impact assessment guides emphasize the use of strategic procurement with social and environmental clauses to promote sustainability, help local populations access employment opportunities, and benefit from skills training in key sectors like construction, hospitality, and security while safeguarding the environment. The Recommendation and related guidance highlight the engagement with the private sector and business support agencies in designing strategic approaches as crucial to facilitating access to supply chains, promoting investment, respecting labour rights, and creating local economic and employment development opportunities. In addition, employment and skills strategies need to be implemented to maximise local job creation, leveraging event-related employment to enhance workers’ skills - particularly those of temporary and low-skilled workers - and to improve their long-term employability. Inclusive planning that advances gender equality, supports people with disabilities, and increases labour market participation of disadvantaged groups ensures the long-term social and economic legacy of major events (OECD, 2018[1]).

Box 1.1. Employment, skills and SME strategies as part of global events: international examples

• The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, UK, provided skills development and vocational training opportunities through several programmes aimed at enhancing employability. One of the standout initiatives was the establishment of the Jobs and Skills Academy, which aimed to connect the employment, volunteering, and training opportunities created through the Games to local people, in particular young people, those from disadvantaged groups, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. The Academy facilitated partnerships with various educational institutions and companies to provide targeted training free of charge to those meeting eligibility criteria, with training places directly linked to Games-time job roles in sectors such as security, stewarding, logistics, catering, cleaning, and waste.

• Switzerland is using the hosting of the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro to boost female employment in football. As part of the “Here to stay” legacy plan, the Swiss Football Association aims to leverage hosting the cup to drive long-term, sustainable change in the area of women’s football, representation and equal opportunities. They have set a target to double the number of women working in football as coaches, referees and officials as well as double the number of women in decision-making positions among players in the Swiss football landscape by the end of 2027.

• The 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, had a notable focus on local SMEs. The Brazilian SME Business Support Service (SEBRAE) assisted SMEs in securing supplier contracts. This support included helping businesses enhance their certifications and qualifications to meet the required standards.

• For the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) launched a dedicated portal for SMEs to access games-related tenders and business opportunities. The portal was open to foreign and domestic companies and was managed by the TMG SME Support Centre in collaboration with the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tokyo Small Business Association.

Source: (OECD, 2025, forthcoming[2])

Paris 2024: supporting employment and skills development, and generating opportunities for SMEs and the social and solidarity economy

Paris 2024 Social Charter – fostering labour standards, inclusive employment and business opportunities

The Paris 2024 Social Charter - the first of its kind - sets out commitments to foster labour standards, inclusive employment and business opportunities. A social charter was envisaged from the bidding phase of the Games in 2015. It was signed on June 19, 2018, to reinforce the social commitments of the Games and covers all three phases of the Games: preparation, delivery, and the post-Games legacy. It includes 16 commitments to job creation, access to training, and compliance with international labour standards (see Box 1.2). For example, it ensures that disadvantaged individuals, including the unemployed, had access to training and employment opportunities. The Charter also prioritised the prevention of labour rights violations, which unfortunately have been common in the organisation of major sporting events worldwide. The Charter was signed by the five major unions representing employees (CGT, CFDT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC) and three major employers’ organisations (MEDEF, U2P, CPME), and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. This marked the first time such a major sporting event committed to such an approach marked by a shared commitment of the Organising Committee, the delivery company, the labour unions and employers’ organisations.

Box 1.2. Paris 2024 Social Charter commitments

The Paris 2024 Social Charter aimed to leverage the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a platform for promoting economic and social responsibility. The Charter sets out 16 commitments to ensure that the Games foster decent working conditions, promote skills development, comply with international labour standards, and support a sustainable and inclusive approach to economic activity.

Governance and Leadership

1. Establish a Consultative Committee: Create a committee involving trade unions, employer organisations, and local authorities to oversee the implementation and assess the impacts of the Paris 2024 Social Charter.

2. Representation in Governance: Ensure the involvement of trade union and employer representatives in the governance of Paris 2024 and SOLIDEO, including a representative of French employees in the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

3. Ethical Procurement: Encourage public procurement policies that promote economic integration and include social and environmental responsibility clauses in tenders, considering the needs of SMEs.

4. Access to Opportunities: Guarantee that SMEs and local businesses can access information about public and private tenders related to the Games, supporting local employment and the economy.

Employment Quality and Conditions

5. Non-Discrimination and Diversity: Prevent all forms of discrimination in employment and encourage gender balance in roles related to the organisation of the Games.

6. Anticipate Workforce Needs: Proactively address skill requirements and promote employment for disadvantaged groups, including youth from priority areas, individuals with disabilities, long-term unemployed, and seniors.

7. Health and Safety: Commit to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all workers involved in the preparation and organisation of the Games.

8. Fair Labour Standards: Require subcontractors and suppliers to adhere to international labour standards, promoting “decent work” as defined by the ILO.

9. Protect Posted Workers: Ensure that posted workers are well-informed of their rights and supported by employers, ensuring their rights are respected.

Skills Development and Career Security

10. Support Youth Employment: Facilitate pathways for young people through professionalisation and apprenticeship programmes to enhance their long-term employability.

11. Upskill Workers: Implement sector-specific training programmes to develop competencies in emerging job fields during the preparation and delivery of the Games.

12. Recognise Volunteer Efforts: Validate the skills and experience gained by volunteers through certification or recognition frameworks.

13. Post-Games Employment Support: Support workers who contributed to the Games in transitioning to new jobs, promoting career security.

Sustainability and Solidarity

14. Exemplary Village Transformation: Ensure the Olympic Village is transformed post-Games into a model of sustainable development for housing and community use.

15. Promote Collaboration: Work alongside the State, local authorities, and the economic sector to maximise the Games' social and economic legacy.

16. Global Solidarity Actions: Implement international solidarity initiatives, particularly in the fields of sport and sustainable development.

The commitments of the Charter have been incorporated in the SOLIDEO Charter for Employment and Territorial Development setting quantifiable targets.  The SOLIDEO Charter, signed on July 5, 2018 (and enacted in article 16, law n°2018-202) outlined the objectives of the Social Charter for Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure. It introduced quantified objectives that are measurable and easy to monitor and evaluate such as to ensure that 10% of labour hours were allocated to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including the unemployed and those distanced from the labour market. The Charter also specified the objective of promoting access to public procurement for SMEs, Social and Solidarity Economy entities, the sector of integration through economic activity, aiming for 25% of the total contract value. The Charter also committed to combat illegal work, anti-competitive practices, and discrimination, while ensuring high-quality working conditions and minimising precarious employment.

Strong monitoring mechanisms were put in place to ensure Social Charter implementation. The Social Charter Monitoring Committee established in 2019 was responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of the Charter. This committee, composed of representatives from labour unions and employers’ organisations and with participation of SOLIDEO and Paris 2024 Organising Committee, held regular meetings to monitor progress, address challenges, and propose actionable solutions. To ease progress tracking, SOLIDEO has developed a dashboard that was updated monthly, shared with the supervisory authorities and acknowledged by the French Court of Auditors (Cour des Comptes1) for its accuracy. This dashboard made it possible to monitor the progress of the Olympic and Paralympic works by providing detailed information on the number of contracting companies, their geographical location, the amounts committed, as well as the hours of work of individuals in integration programmes and data on work-related accidents. The precision and transparency of these internal control procedures have made it possible to guarantee efficient and transparent management, adjusting actions in real time and ensuring that the objectives set are achieved.

Collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) provided technical guidance and reinforced commitments to international labour standards. The governance model emphasized tripartite collaboration, integrating institutional actors, the business community, and labour representatives. This level of involvement was unprecedented in Olympic history and demonstrated a strong commitment to social dialogue.

Measurable requirements and enhanced controls were put in place to ensure compliance among a diverse range of contractors. Precise and actionable objectives have been introduced, such as requiring contractors to employ a specific percentage of workers from underprivileged groups. Contracts awarded to companies included clauses requiring them to employ individuals from disadvantaged groups. These measures were monitored closely, and companies had to provide evidence of compliance. Enhanced inspections and the involvement of labour unions in oversight ensured adherence to safety and labour standards, further minimizing risks. On-site visits conducted with the Social Charter Committee revealed tangible improvements. For instance, in Marseille city, security agents at key access points were provided with chairs, parasols, and water bottles - a notable shift in working conditions. Additional inspections considered factors such as rest facilities, meal zones, and travel time between workstations and break areas. While not all challenges were resolved, these steps demonstrated a commitment to improving worker welfare as part of the responsible procurement strategy.

The Social Charter’s initiatives yielded significant results. Over 30 000 workers benefited from successful integration into the Games construction projects. 37% of the total value of public procurement contracts was awarded to very small and small enterprises, exceeding the initial target of 25% (ESS2024, 2024[3]). Training programmes equipped thousands of individuals with skills in high-demand sectors, ensuring their employability post-Games. Notably, workplace accidents on construction sites were four times lower than the national average, highlighting the effectiveness of the safety protocols implemented. Additionally, social partners acknowledged the Charter’s positive outcomes in terms of decent working conditions.  

Box 1.3. Lessons in accident prevention and on combatting illegal work on construction sites

The Labour Inspectorate of Île-de-France Regarding has made significant efforts in accident prevention. It has created a dedicated service, a specific regional control unit (URACGC, the Regional Unit for Major Construction Projects), dedicated to overseeing the major construction projects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Greater Paris, alongside the regional control unit for combating illegal work. Each construction project had a dedicated officer responsible for overseeing labour law aspects on construction sites within their remit. URACGC’s participation in Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committees, presence on-site, establishing a single point of contact, particularly for the monitoring of labour law exemptions, played a key role in monitoring the projects and preventing accidents and combatting illegal work.

Source: Global Deal webinar, Charte Sociale Paris 2024, 29 October 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZB2qliUwl4)

Beyond quantifiable results, the methods, partnerships and practices established under the Charter will serve as a blueprint for future events. The Paris 2024 Social Charter demonstrated that integrating social responsibility into large-scale events is both achievable and impactful. Lessons for future major events in France and internationally include the importance of early stakeholder engagement, the value of regular monitoring and reporting, and the necessity of aligning objectives with measurable outcomes. The collaborative governance model proved essential in resolving conflicts and maintaining focus on shared goals. The model was already adopted by the 2023 Rugby World Cup authorities who had also signed this social Charter with the same social partners and the same process will be followed for the upcoming 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to be hosted by France. Milan-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are also already reviewing this approach for adaptation. Beyond sports, Charter’s legacy extends to broader applications in construction and event management, providing a model for ensuring social and economic benefits in other large-scale projects in France. Ongoing efforts will also focus on sustaining employment opportunities and integrating lessons into national labour policies to enhance safety and inclusivity across industries. 

Anticipating and responding to the labour demand while putting in place job opportunities that last

Anticipating labour market needs to deliver the Games

To meet the demands of hosting the Games, an evidence-based employment and skills strategy was put in place. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the largest event ever organised by France, necessitating extensive venues, accommodation, transport, and skilled personnel to host them successfully. A comprehensive job mapping was undertaken by the Organising Committee in 2019 (six years before the Games) to identify the jobs and skills required, as well as the sectors in which employers would need to recruit. This jobs map, This jobs mapping identified that some 150 000 jobs could be directly mobilised by the Games, through the Organising Committee and all service providers, in sectors such as construction, tourism, event management, live entertainment, private security, cleaning and waste management, transport and logistics (CDES and AMNYOS, 2019[4]). Many of these sectors had labour shortages and skills gaps prior to the event, meaning they will also be in demand after the event. The mapping also identified training needs relating to these jobs. The objective of the study and the Paris 2024 impact and legacy strategy was not only to guide the recruitment and training efforts for the Games but to also contribute to the development of a major (sports and cultural) events sector in France by creating partnerships and connection within the employment and training ecosystem and with employers.

The job mapping was updated in 2021 and 2023 to reflect the evolution of the needs and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The updated job mapping estimated that the Games would mobilise2 181 100 jobs including: 

• 89 300 jobs mobilised to deliver the Games themselves (involving Paris 2024 Organising Committee and suppliers).

• 61 800 jobs mobilised in the tourism sector to welcome visitors, including tourists, the Olympic family, media, sponsors and their guests, and volunteers.

• 30 000 jobs mobilised in the construction sector to build or refurbish the facilities for the Games.

The updated job mapping focused in detail on the job needs of the tourism and event organisation sectors, as the construction sector has already been engaged in the work needed to deliver the infrastructure for the Games (and as SOLIDEO has commissioned a dedicated study on the construction sector to further detail the initial job mapping). The revised mapping further nuanced the categorisation of job needs into distinct job families within each of the two sectors, providing a more detailed and structured framework for workforce planning (see Table 1.1). It also helped identify avenues for developing a common social approach for all major sporting and cultural events organised in France, as their employment and skills needs are relatively similar in nature.

Table 1.1. Paris 2024 Games job mapping estimates in the tourism and event organisation sector (2023)

Job Families	Organisation Sector	Tourism Sector
Culinary professions	-	15,910
Food service and bar professions	18,610	13,490
Management and business leadership roles	-	3,090
Administrative business employees	-	2,950
Sales professions	-	2,790
Hotel housekeeping roles	-	2,360
Intermediate administrative and commercial roles	-	2,050
Hotel reception professions	-	1,440
Passenger vehicle driving professions	1,500	1,100
Logistics professions	5,670	960
Goods vehicle driving professions	-	3,740
Reception and information professions	-	430
Cleaning professions	2,870	180
Private security professions	26,600	150
On-site reception and information professions	3,500	-
Performing arts and audiovisual professions	6,050	-
Event communication and marketing professions	13,500	-
Other professions	11,000	11,160
Total	89,300	61,800

Source: (CDES and AMNYOS, 2023[5])

The study has also projected the geographical distribution of job needs.  Île-de-France region, as the host of most sports events and key non-competition sites (such as the Athletes’ Village and media cluster), was projected to mobilise most of the workforce, with an estimated 73 265 jobs. However, significant employment was also projected to be generated in other host regions, including Lille (basketball and handball), Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, and Saint-Étienne (football), Tahiti (surfing), Châteauroux (shooting), and Marseille (sailing) (CDES and AMNYOS, 2023[5]).

Addressing Games recruitment and training needs in the context of labour and skills shortages

Under the leadership of the Prefecture of the Île-de-France Region, France Travail was mobilised to address the training and recruitment needs of the Games. After the jobs map had been completed, the Organising Committee worked closely with France Travail to create an online platform (EMPLOIS 2024) to advertise all Games-related jobs and to connect businesses with suitable candidates, as well as providing jobseekers with training materials and re- and upskilling opportunities. France Travail collaborated closely with the SOLIDEO as well as the territorial stakeholders: the Regional Prefect, and the Regional and Interdepartmental Directorate for the Economy, Employment, Labour and Solidarity (Direction régionale et interdépartementale de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités - DRIEETS). Weekly progress meetings ensured the co-ordinated implementation of a flexible action plan.

The Games’ short-term nature posed unique challenges, particularly in ensuring sustainable employment outcomes. A key priority was avoiding a temporary employment boost without lasting impact. To avoid this, recruitment and training efforts were concentrated in sectors with chronic labour shortages, such as security and hospitality (also important for the strengthening of the French major events sector over the longer-term). These areas were identified as critical fields where the demand for workers was exceptionally high both in the short and the long term. By focusing on these sectors, the Organising Committee and France Travail addressed immediate staffing needs for the Games while also working to mitigate long-term imbalances in the labour market. For other sectors mainly with a short-term need, other strategies or measures were used. For instance, the production of Paris 2024 mascots was partially outsourced to avoid a situation where temporary manufacturing jobs would lead to layoffs after the Games (see further information in the chapter on Ecological Games). This approach reflected the organisers’ commitment to sustainable employment strategies that would not create vulnerabilities after the event.

Addressing the security sector recruitment challenge

The security sector faced the most significant challenges, with around 26 000 trained personnel required, compared to the usual average of 2 500 in the Île-de-France region. Legislative changes introduced in April 2022 further complicated recruitment efforts by imposing stricter entry requirements. In addition, the fragmented structure of the sector posed further difficulties, as it comprises few large firms and a high number of very small enterprises (VSEs) or sole traders. Under the coordination of the Île-de-France Regional Prefecture, the Île-de-France Regional Council and France Travail significantly expanded training capacity, introduced incentives to address the sector’s low attractiveness, and ensured the rapid recruitment needed to meet urgent demands during the Games. As a result, according to France Travail, nearly 22 000 individuals were recruited for security roles for the Paris 2024 Games. 

Box 1.4. Security sector recruitments: the strategy of the State and the role of France Travail

The State and France Travail’s strategy to address acute labour and skills shortages in the security sector comprised four interdependent components:

1. Expanding training capacity: The training programmes of the Île-de-France Regional Council and France Travail were significantly strengthened to respond to the exceptional demand in the security sector. Training capacity increased from 2 500 individuals per year to nearly 26 000 trainees between September 2022 and July 2024 - representing a tenfold increase.

2. Making training programmes more attractive:

• Promoting opportunities to a broad pool of potential candidates: Approximately 200 000 jobseekers in the Île-de-France region were informed of the opportunities available in the security sector, with communication highlighting the advantages of the sector, the availability of accelerated training pathways, and the unique opportunity to take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Specific outreach initiatives were also undertaken targeting students and retirees, resulting in the engagement of approximately 3,600 and 400 individuals from each respective group. Additional efforts focused on young people entering the labour market and individuals distant from employment, ensuring that all interested groups were reached.

• Introduction of a new qualification: A dedicated professional qualification certificate for event security was developed in collaboration with social partners and the State. This certification, tailored for large-scale events such as the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was launched in March 2023. It offered a streamlined three-week training programme (instead of five), equipping individuals for roles in event security, particularly for events with more than 500 attendees. This targeted approach successfully attracted candidates interested in working at high-profile events, helping to overcome a major barrier to participation.

• Financial incentives: The Île-de-France Regional Council introduced a bonus scheme, providing one payment at the start of the training and another upon recruitment into the security sector. These financial incentives helped attract participants to the training programmes and encouraged their commitment to working in the sector.

• Direct and immediate links to employment: Over 600 job-dating sessions were organised by France Travail at training centres, enabling trainees to meet directly with employers during their courses. This close linkage between training and employment provided participants with a clear and immediate pathway into the labour market.

3. Ensuring timely recruitment: Weekly meetings with employers were held to ensure that candidates were recruited promptly, reducing the risk of their absorption into other sectors. Employers were encouraged to streamline their recruitment processes in line with training schedules in order to maximise retention - by providing swift responses to candidates, offering pre-Games assignments to build loyalty, and reinforcing HR teams to ensure rapid hiring.

4. Agility in responding to urgent needs during the Games: Rapid recruitment mechanisms enabled the deployment of 2,300 individuals within 24 to 48 hours to meet urgent staffing needs, for example for the opening ceremonies. France Travail’s knowledge of candidate profiles and work schedules made it possible to respond effectively to unexpected personnel requirements.

Source: OECD interview with France Travail

The training efforts related to the Games did not come at the expense of addressing other training and employment needs. According to France Travail, the institution succeeded in maintaining its commitment to other sectors, recording approximately 110 000 training entries in Île-de-France in 2024, compared to 123 000 in 2023 and 106 000 in 2022. This demonstrates that the focus on Games-related preparations did not undermine broader training objectives.

Intense collaboration with employers to ensure recruitment success

Paris 2024 OCOG worked extensively with employers to ensure they were able to recruit the required workforce. The Organising Committee asked employers key questions about their operational needs, including the sites where employees would work, the duration of employment, and their experience in collaborating with employment actors. Based on these discussions, employers were connected with relevant France Travail agencies, local authorities, and youth services to streamline candidate sourcing. These actors then provided tailored support to employers, identifying and delivering candidates who met their requirements. Regular data updates were provided to track progress, ensuring that recruitment goals were being met.

France Travail introduced a single point of contact for large employers. For all employers involved in the delivery of the Games, particularly in the sectors of security, transport and logistics, cleaning and waste management, and catering – including companies such as Sodexo (a global provider of catering and facilities management services) – this single point of contact was expected to provide services and recruit staff across multiple sites. Managing recruitment through several regional agencies would have been overly complicated for such companies. Instead, one dedicated interlocutor from France Travail co-ordinated efforts, ensuring that the company’s needs across 14 sites, including Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Paris Centre, and the Olympic Village, were effectively addressed. This single point of contact streamlined the process by liaising with the relevant local agencies and sourcing CVs from nearby areas to minimise worker commutes while meeting Sodexo’s recruitment demands.

To meet the varying demands of Paris 2024 procurement contracts, a specific organisational framework was established to support contractors with recruitment and social clause requirements. A “one-stop shop” approach, featuring a director of the local France Travail agency and a social clause facilitator, was put in place to directly assist businesses. For contracts with higher recruitment needs or multi-site projects, co-ordination was expanded to include regional facilitators and support mechanisms from neighbouring territories. The France Travail and the social clause facilitator offered the following services:

• Assisting companies with recruitment needs and compliance with the inclusion clause.

• Identifying suitable candidates to meet business needs and fulfil inclusion obligations.

• Monitoring the implementation of recruitment and inclusion commitments

Large-scale employment forums were organised to connect candidates to employment opportunities, through the joint action of the various employment stakeholders (City of Paris, France Travail, Ministry of Labour) and the OCOG. For instance, the Cité du Cinéma event in September 2023 attracted over 6 000 visitors, providing a tangible example of how these efforts facilitated recruitment on a large scale. Similar events took place at key venues such as the docks of Aubervilliers and La Chapelle Arena (Adidas Arena), with specific focus on sectors like security. At La Chapelle Arena (Adidas Arena) alone, 63 security companies participated in a “security village,” connecting directly with candidates. These initiatives highlighted the Organising Committee’s commitment to proactive and innovative approaches in addressing workforce needs for the Games.

Introducing innovative recruitment practice to attract candidates far away from the labour market

An innovative recruitment initiative, “From Stadium to Employment” (du Stade vers l’Emploi - DSVE), helped to reach out to those far away from the labour market. This initiative promoted by France Travail in co-operation with sports federations (athletics, rugby, badminton, etc.) replaced traditional recruitment methods with sports-based activities, bringing recruiters and jobseekers together on an anonymous basis for sporting activities in the morning, followed by a convivial lunch together and ending the day with a job-dating event in the afternoon. This approach helped to break down barriers and highlight candidates’ skills – particularly soft skills such as interpersonal relations, commitment, respect for rules and teamwork – which were essential for the recruiters, and provided opportunities for individuals who might not have succeeded through conventional application processes relying on traditional CVs or formal interviews. Initially piloted by a single sports federation, it expanded to 12 federations and 500 events by 2024.

Participation in this initiative enhances the chances of beneficiaries to secure either employment or training solutions. An evaluation study was conducted by France Travail in 2023 to analyse the trajectories of beneficiaries of the “From Stadium to Employment” in terms of access to employment and training (France Travail, 2023[6]). This assessment was conducted by comparing the 2022 programme participants to a control group drawn from all registered jobseekers3. In 2022, 83 “From Stadium to Employment” operations were organised, involving 5 075 candidates, averaging 63 jobseeker beneficiaries per event. The regions hosting the highest number of DSVE operations were Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Île-de-France. Compared to the overall jobseeker population, DSVE beneficiaries exhibit characteristics often associated with greater distance from the labour market. They are more likely to: have educational qualifications equivalent to high school or lower, receive the RSA (revenue de solidarité active – French social assistance benefit), and reside in disadvantaged urban areas (QPV). DSVE beneficiaries are also more likely to be men (57% vs 48%) and younger than 25 (27% vs 13%). The evaluation study showed that DSVE beneficiaries achieve employment (regardless of duration or type of contract, including permanent, temporary, or interim work) more often than the control group (47% vs 34%)4. They also access training at a significantly higher rate than the control group (16% vs 11%) and participate in longer training programmes. Overall, DSVE beneficiaries were found to be more likely to secure either employment or training solutions5 (53% vs 37 %).

The City of Paris programme to support sustainable employment through the Games

The City of Paris implemented several initiatives under the broader Games and Jobs (EnJeux Emplois) policy to leverage the 2024 Games for employment and economic development6. One of the flagship initiatives was the support programme “2024: All Champions, Women and Men” (Toutes championnes, Tous champions - TC2). A winning project under the “100% Inclusion” Skills Investment Plan, TC2 was led by a consortium of local actors7 from Paris, Plaine Commune8 and Seine-Saint-Denis. The programme initially aimed to support 1 000 participants (500 in each of the two departments). However, the COVID-19 crisis led to a downward revision of this target. In Paris, the revised objective was to provide support to 257 participants. This included basic skills training (in literacy, numeracy, etc.), as well as English for tourism-related occupations, driving lessons to improve mobility (particularly for jobs with atypical working hours), sport activities (such as swimming lessons and re-engagement pathways), certified vocational training, and the development of soft skills. The goal was to enable jobseekers to access employment opportunities linked to the Games, particularly in the construction, tourism and event management sectors. The “2024: Toutes championnes, Tous champions” programme ran from September 2019 to November 2022.

A new tailored support programme, 2024: A Bet on Jobs in Paris (2024: Pari(s) de l’emploi), was launched in 2023. In a context of near full employment in Paris, and with many of the Games-related jobs falling within sectors experiencing labour shortages, the programme aimed to support 150 jobseekers over the course of one year. Eligible participants were aged 16 to 65, resided within the city of Paris, and were among those furthest from the labour market. This target was exceeded, with 221 individuals ultimately benefiting from the programme.

The “Paris Tous en Jeux” (PTEJ) - All in the Games - initiative by the City of Paris complemented national efforts to maximise inclusion and employment opportunities for Parisians in the run-up to the Games. Launched in 2019, the programme sought to provide vocational training to Parisian jobseekers in anticipation of employment opportunities linked to the Games. Based on the employment mapping that identified recruitment challenges, the initiative aimed to create pathways to sustainable employment through pre-qualification, qualification and certification training in the following sectors:

• Hospitality and catering (e.g. training for roles such as receptionist, commis chef, cook, institutional catering agent, and bakery assistant);

• Event organisation (e.g. training for multi-skilled reception roles in events, security and safety officers, and bakery sales staff);

• Construction (e.g. training in thermal installation, masonry and sanitary works, and eco-construction techniques);

• Waste management and cleaning (e.g. training for hygiene and cleaning agents and eco-awareness facilitators);

• Sport (e.g. training for aquatic security officers and sports activity leaders).

The initiative provided an additional offering beyond the standard public training provision, supported by financial contributions from the City of Paris (via annual calls for projects) and its partners. Over five years, the City allocated EUR 2.7 million in operational subsidies and EUR 850 000 in capital investment for the purchase of equipment and the development or acquisition of sustainable learning resources tailored to specific training needs. Additional co-funding was provided by training operators (Opérateurs de Compétences - OPCO9) through pre-employment training schemes designed for career transitions, as well as by France Travail, which supported both trainee allowances (in France, jobseekers may continue receiving benefits while participating in certified training such as PTEJ) and broader co-financing of the initiative. The programme’s objectives for its beneficiaries focused on:

• Acquiring theoretical and technical skills leading to certification;

• Acquiring or reinforcing basic skills (e.g. literacy, numeracy, and digital skills) and soft skills;

• Providing personalised social and professional support towards sustainable career pathways, including mentorship by trainers and companies, confidence-building measures, and assistance in overcoming barriers such as childcare and access to entitlements. The initiative also aimed to prepare participants for labour market integration through interview coaching, internship placements, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Paris worked in close collaboration with employers and vocational training providers to develop pathways to employment. The “Paris Tous en Jeux” initiative issued a call for expressions of interest to companies and training operators (OPCOs), encouraging them to collaborate through funding and skills-based sponsorship, by offering internships and apprenticeships, and by hiring participants upon completion of their training. One example of this collaboration is the partnership between the association and training provider Food Sweet Food and Sodexo, which delivers training to newly arrived migrants and individuals with international protection status for careers in the catering sector. The initiatives related to the Games benefited from the Paris Employment and Business Pacts, which have been in place for several years at the initiative of the City of Paris, aimed to promote co-operation between employers and the municipality within a corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework. These pacts provide job opportunities for individuals who are distant or very distant from employment. There are currently 20 such pacts in place, based on agreements with a wide range of companies – including major employers such as Air France, Carrefour, GL Events, Ducasse, Pierre Hermé, and Club Med – and implemented through a variety of employment initiatives (e.g. themed forums, dedicated sessions targeting specific job types).

The initiative proved more effective than other comparable programmes. Between 2019 and 2022, Paris Tous en Jeux enabled 1 792 individuals to receive training delivered by associations and training providers. Among the participants, 35% were women, 55% had qualifications below upper secondary level, 25% were recipients of the Active Solidarity Income (RSA), and 27% resided in priority neighbourhoods (quartiers prioritaires de la politique de la ville – QPV). The initiative achieved an 85% success rate, with 60% of participants accessing paid employment, 7% creating their own business, and 18% undertaking further vocational training. This result exceeds the usual 70% rate of positive outcomes recorded for similar programmes implemented by the City of Paris (according to data from the City’s Department of Attractiveness and Employment).

The high rates of positive outcomes can be attributed to several factors. These include training modules tailored to the needs of participants - such as French language courses - innovative candidate outreach strategies, comprehensive social and professional support, and renumeration during the training period. According to the City, these factors include good practices such as combining theoretical and practical learning with immersive workplace experiences, integrating professional French courses for participants with limited language proficiency, and maintaining close links with employers to ensure alignment with industry needs. The City of Paris also played a key role in financing infrastructure development, purchasing educational equipment such as digital tools (computers and tablets), equipping technical training facilities (including a training kitchen and a pedagogical food truck), and supporting the development of adapted and innovative teaching materials. The City also worked to promote less attractive professions by organising activities for social and employment support professionals, such as visits to training centres and hands-on career discovery workshops - bread making, food tasting, and flower arrangement, for example. Innovative candidate outreach strategies were also encouraged, including mobilising Parisians through sport, in-store posters, and testimonials from former trainees. Most importantly, the partnership with France Travail enabled the majority of beneficiaries to receive financial compensation during the Games-related training, which significantly reduced drop-out rates. Taken together, these measures contributed to the high success rate of Paris Tous en Jeux.

The lessons learned have informed the development of a new programme, Paris Hospitalities (Paris Hospitalités), designed to continue meeting employment needs in the events sector in Paris. Launched in December 2024, Paris Hospitalités continues to offer training in hospitality and catering, tourism services, retail, logistics, and the arts, entertainment, and sports sectors. Aimed at jobseekers - particularly those undergoing career transitions or with limited qualifications - the programme works in partnership with training organisations often based in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Paris and its nearby suburbs.

Post-Games employment and legacy

My Job after the Games programme aimed to ensure that the workforce trained and employed during the Games transitioned into sustainable roles. This transition was prepared by France Travail, the Regional Prefecture, and the Regional Council. The My Job in Île-de-France after the Games (Mon Emploi en Île-de-France après les Jeux) programme was officially launched on 9 September 2024, immediately following the end of the Paralympic Games. This initiative was designed to support all individuals who had worked during the Games, including volunteers, in securing long-term employment opportunities.

The programme mobilised companies with significant recruitment needs. Large organisations such as EDF (Électricité de France - French multinational energy company), Air France, IKEA, Securitas and Torann (security services companies), Disney, and others participated, offering substantial opportunities across various sectors, including security and events management. Notably, these efforts also extended to companies that had not been directly involved in the Games but recognised the transferable skills developed by workers during the event. France Travail offered additional support by funding supplementary training for individuals who required minor skill enhancements to meet the needs of these employers. A dedicated website was created to facilitate job matching, hosting approximately 150 000 job listings. To ensure effective matching, France Travail established support points across its 122 agencies, providing tailored assistance to individuals seeking employment. This personalised guidance helped connect job seekers with suitable roles and employers.

Major recruitment events further strengthened these efforts. For example, on 29 October 2024, an event at the Stade de France attracted over 3 000 job seekers and featured companies with nearly 45 000 open positions. Participants included organisations such as the National Police, Paris Municipal Police, and various private firms, highlighting the breadth of opportunities available.

In the security sector, which posed the greatest recruitment challenge, as of 31 December 2024, 98% of individuals trained and employed during the Games were still in employment six months after the event. The remaining 2% were primarily individuals transitioning to new sectors, with France Travail providing ongoing support for their professional reconversion. This outcome underscored the effectiveness of the intermediation efforts between job seekers and employers, facilitated by France Travail advisors, through the on-line platform, events, and direct engagement.

Building on this momentum, France Travail and the Île-de-France Regional Council decided to expand the job-matching platform developed for the post-Games transition. This enhanced platform, now entitled “Mon emploi en Île-de-France” (“My Job in Île-de-France”), will offer visibility into the broader economic dynamics of the region, enabling the identification of recruitment trends and sectoral needs. By institutionalising this approach, France Travail and the Regional Council aim to establish a lasting infrastructure to support the development of the regional labour market beyond the Games.

The lessons from Paris 2024 may also serve to strengthen the French events sector more broadly. Closer and more systematic collaboration across major events in relation to employment opportunities could facilitate smoother transitions for workers from one event to another. The implementation of joint actions or strategies across events could also help employees to enhance and retain their skills. Such collaboration could extend beyond event-specific companies and infrastructure managers to encompass broader, sector-wide partnerships. This is notably the ambition of the stakeholders involved in the Engagement for the Development of Employment and Skills (EDEC) – Major Sporting and Cultural Events framework (Ministère du travail, de la santé, des solidarités et des familles, 2025[7]).

Ensuring MSMEs and SSE access to procurement opportunities 

The Paris 2024 Social Charter and the SOLIDEO Employment and Territorial Development Charter set ambitious targets to ensure access to the Games markets for MSMEs and SSE entities. In line with the broader national legal framework for social procurement (see Box 1.5), and to support micro-enterprises and SMEs (MSMEs) and social and solidarity economy (SSE) entities in accessing tenders, two programmes were implemented.

• The Entreprises 2024 platform, managed by MEDEF (Mouvement des Entreprises de France - the largest employer federation in France), served as the umbrella initiative, ensuring that MSMEs from across the country benefit economically from the Games. It centralised all information related to the Paris 2024 Games markets, including those from the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, SOLIDEO, and the City of Paris.

• The ESS 2024 platform, managed by Les Canaux (an association for social economy and innovation established by the City of Paris in 2016), worked to integrate socially impactful organisations into the supply chain of the Games and ensure that social, environmental, and inclusive values are upheld in the procurement process. It specifically targeted businesses and entities within the social and solidarity economy (e.g. cooperatives; associations; mutual organisations; entreprises d’insertion - companies employing individuals from vulnerable groups). It also encouraged participation from corporate social responsibility (CSR)-oriented businesses (see dedicated case study on ESS 2024 later in the chapter).

Box 1.5. Legal framework for social procurement in France

In 2020, France spent 15.6% of its GDP in public procurement. The importance of procurement for broader policy goals, not only price, is recognised by French policy makers as an important step towards more sustainable societies. The 2014 French Social and Solidarity Economy law requires all public administrations with total annual contracts worth over EUR 100 million to define a strategy for socially and environmentally sustainable procurement (Schéma de promotion des achats publics socialement et écologiquement responsables, SPASER). In 2022, the Climate and Resilience bill introduced sustainability as an award criteria for all public procurements by 2026 and lowered the threshold for a mandatory SPASER to EUR 50 million from 1 January 2023. This doubled the number of public buyers concerned, from 160 to 320.

Source: (OECD, 2023[8])

A Entreprendre 2024 programme was rolled out throughout France to help inform and engage the MSMEs. Launched by the banking group BPCE (Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne)10, as part of its premium partnership with Paris 2024, the Entreprendre 2024 programme facilitated companies’ access to invitations to tender. This programme took the form of a tour throughout France, with the participation of 20 Groupe BPCE banks. 32 events were organised (19 for businesses and 13 internal sessions for Groupe BPCE employees). Nearly 50 Entreprendre 2024 meetings were held throughout France reaching more than 2 400 companies. Entreprendre 2024 continues beyond the Paris 2024 Games, providing support to businesses in accessing tenders for future major sporting events organised in France.

With a similar objective, the Economic and Solidarity Workshop for the Games (Fabrique économique et solidaire des Jeux) was launched in 2018. It was launched by the Île-de-France Regional Directorate for Economy, Employment, Labour, and Solidarity (Direction régionale de l’économie, de l'emploi, du travail et des solidarités – DRIEETS) through the ESS2024 platform (see Box 1.6). Initially piloted in Seine-Saint-Denis (part of Île-de-France) the initiative was eventually extended to all eight departments in Île-de-France and the Bouches-du-Rhône. Its objective was to ensure that the benefits of the Games reached smaller enterprises, including those in the social and solidarity economy, as well as integration enterprises and sheltered and adapted work environments.

Box 1.6. La Fabrique des Jeux

Launched in October 2018, the Economic and Solidarity Workshop for the Games (La Fabrique économique et solidaire des Jeux) was a flagship initiative by the DRIEETS Île-de-France and led by ESS 2024. Its goal was to support collaboration between local authorities, Games organisers, and national and regional networks to maximise the economic benefits of the Paris 2024 Games for local SMEs and the social and solidarity economy (SSE) entities. This initiative sought to create an ecosystem of information and support, enabling smaller enterprises and SSE actors to access Games-related opportunities and enhance their long-term capacity.

One of the initiative’s pioneering projects, the Fabrique des Jeux 93, was developed in Seine-Saint-Denis to ensure that local communities benefitted from major events hosted in their region. This project, led by the Departmental Council and local government services, brought together stakeholders such as Inser’Eco 93, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Trades and Crafts, and ESS 2024. It provided training, workshops, and networking opportunities to strengthen local businesses’ ability to participate in public procurement processes.

In addition to supporting SMEs and SSE organisations, La Fabrique des Jeux encouraged large businesses involved in the Games to adopt more sustainable, inclusive, and solidarity-driven practices. This dual approach aimed to leave a legacy not only of improved skills and practices among smaller enterprises but also of systemic change in the way public procurement integrates social and environmental goals.

The initiative also played a critical role in connecting local projects with Games-related opportunities, such as event organisation, fan zones, and infrastructure renovation, often under the “Terre de Jeux” label.

Promoting responsible procurement and social clause implementation

Paris 2024 adapted a responsible procurement strategy integrating social and environmental criteria into procurement processes. The Social Charter was included as an annex in all tenders, ensuring that companies bidding for contracts were aware of these commitments. This inclusion, coupled with more regular controls, led to significant changes in practices on the ground. For example, through engagements with large event companies, adjustments were made to their operational methods to better align with the Charter’s principles.

Paris 2024 Organising Committee actively engaged with bidders to augment the social dimension of their offers to align with these criteria by providing them with extensive support. Contractors were evaluated on their commitments to inclusion, such as hiring from disadvantaged groups or partnering with social enterprises. Paris 2024 Organising Committee’s approach included proactive engagement with contractors even before bids were awarded. Through the ESS 2024 platform, companies were connected to suitable subcontractors, including local SMEs and social enterprises, to help them meet the inclusion and sustainability standards. Practical engagements supported this effort, such as consultations with prospective contractors. For example, a focused event in Aulnay-sous-Bois, Seine-Saint-Denis, brought together the Paris 2024 procurement team, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts and Trades, the Departmental Council, business clubs, MEDEF, CPME, and other key stakeholders. At this event, the food service procurement opportunities for the Games were presented, inviting businesses from food trucks to caterers, regardless of size, to participate.

Paris 2024 Organising Committee outlined tender details, timelines, and required documentation, while the ESS 2024 platform offered tailored assistance. Small enterprises were encouraged to form consortiums, collaborate with larger companies, or access other forms of support. Competitive dialogue sessions were held during the bidding phases to assess and improve contractor proposals. Initial offers were reviewed and enhanced through iterative discussions, resulting in significantly improved final proposals. This process ensured that major contractors, such as Sodexo (a global food services and facilities management company), incorporated robust commitments to local SMEs and social enterprises into their bids.

Results surpassed initial targets, but more can be done to support independent SME access to procurement

The targets of the Social Charter relating to socially responsible purchasing and commitments to labour market inclusion have been exceeded. SOLIDEO implemented a procurement plan worth EUR 4.4 billion, guided by the Social Charter and its own Charter on Employment and Economic Development. A significant share of contracts – 37%, surpassing the 25% target – was awarded to local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and social economy entities, amounting to EUR 826 million (ESS2024, 2024[3]). In addition, SOLIDEO prioritised labour market inclusion, with 23.5% of the total hours worked on Games-related construction projects carried out by individuals in integration pathways, more than double the initial target of 10%11 (ESS2024, 2024[3]).

The Games offered an economic development opportunity for a wide range of businesses. With 90% of suppliers based in France, the national economic fabric significantly benefited from the event's economic impact (Paris 2024, 2024[9]). The ESS 2024 and Entreprises 2024 initiatives strongly promoted the participation of micro and small enterprises and social and solidarity economy (SSE) organisations in the Paris 2024 Games. Since its launch in April 2019, the Enterprises 2024 platform has continued to expand, underscoring its relevance. It grew from 10 783 registered businesses in June 2020 to 17 198 in March 2022 and 19 850 by the end of 2023. It also facilitated contract awards to 1 460 businesses. over 95% of which were MSMEs (Paris 2024, 2024[9]). As of December 2023, nearly 75% of Paris 2024 suppliers were MSMEs (Paris 2024, 2024[10]).

Furthermore, despite the prohibition of geographic criteria under public procurement law, the economic activity generated by public contracts was concentrated locally. Half of the SSE and circular economy entities awarded Games-related contracts were based in the Île-de-France region, and they accounted for approximately 70% of the volume of SSE and circular economy services delivered in the context of the Games (Paris 2024, 2024[10]).

Despite the positive outcomes, small independent structures encountered challenges inherent to public procurement. The economic benefits of the Games extended to the local economic fabric, even though a significant share of contracts awarded to MSMEs went to subsidiaries of large groups. According to an analysis by the Île-de-France Regional Construction Economic Observatory (CERC), as of 10 February 2022, of the value of contracts awarded to construction-sector MSMEs in the region, 14% of the total, 9% were awarded to independent or traditional MSMEs, while 5% went to subsidiaries of larger firms (Commission des Affaires culturelles et de l'éduction de l'Assemblée nationale, 2023[11]).

These challenges also represent an opportunity for the French government to strengthen support for MSMEs in the context of their participation in public procurement. By ensuring that the tools introduced for the 2024 Games are sustained beyond the event, and by developing additional mechanisms, the French administration could better meet the needs of MSMEs and reinforce their capacity to participate in public procurement markets, particularly at scale.

In Ireland, for example, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has introduced several incentives to support SMEs. Acknowledging the importance of the SME sector and seeking to further enhance the already significant measures supporting their access to public procurement, the OGP has developed a suite of policies as well as various guides and tools to facilitate their participation (see Box 1.7).

Box 1.7. Initiatives put in place in Ireland to encourage SME participation in public contracts

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), Ireland has developed a series of policy measures to help SMEs access public procurement opportunities (implemented by Circular 05/2023). These measures include:

• Increase in national advertising thresholds: EUR 50 000 for goods and services, and EUR 200 000 for works, excluding VAT.

• Obligation for contracting authorities to publish information on the award of contracts for all procedures over EUR 25 000 (excluding VAT) on eTenders.

• Updates to the general measures covering governance, reaffirming the principles underlying all public contracts and their applicability to works contracts.

In addition, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides a range of tailored supports for businesses in Ireland. These supports and further information are available on the supporting SMEs website. In addition, Minister of State responsible for public procurement, chairs quarterly meetings of the SME Advisory Group. This group provides a platform for government, policy makers and industry groups to come together to identify and implement measures to support SME access to public procurement opportunities. It also allows SME representative bodies to voice their concerns on issues affecting their participation in public procurement. Further information on the SME Advisory Group, including the group's terms of reference and minutes of meetings, can be found at the Advisory Group web-site.

Building on Paris 2024 successes there is scope to consider introducing a minimum share of suppliers from SSE in all contracts related to public events in France, while respecting competition rules and State aid directives. Internationally, future major events could benefit from setting specific and distinct targets for circular, social and solidarity economy actors. This approach is consistent with the OECD global events impact assessment indicators, which recommend more precise and targeted benchmarks to promote inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Case studies

This section highlights two case studies illustrating how Paris 2024 ensured social and economic impact by fostering access to Games related procurement to MSMEs, circular, social and solidarity economy entities and enterprises. The first case study presents the innovative work of the Social and Solidarity Economy platform (ESS2024), and the second tells the story of a small enterprise NEREUS highlighting its experience of accessing Games related procurement.

Case study: ESS 2024 platform to support social and solidarity and circular economy access to Games related procurement

Objectives and activities

The origins

Les Canaux, the organisation behind ESS 2024, was established by the City of Paris in 2016 as part of its broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and socially and economically responsible economy. The initiative began with the transformation by the City of Paris of a historic building in the Paris city centre into the Maison des Économies Solidaires et Innovantes. Chaired by Yann Arthus-Bertrand12, Les Canaux advises, trains, and supports economic actors committed to solidarity and the environment, both in France and internationally. The association provides practical tools to help individuals and businesses enhance their social and environmental impact.

Paris’s dedication to fostering sustainable practices gained international attention in 2017 when the city signed an agreement with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, a global advocate for social business and founder of Grameen Bank. This partnership furthered Paris’s ambition to integrate social and environmental considerations into its economic policies. Yunus’s influence helped define a framework in which public procurement, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices could converge to create meaningful impact. This vision laid the foundation for ESS 2024, a platform dedicated to ensuring the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games served as a model for sustainable and inclusive event planning.

The ESS 2024 platform

The ESS 2024 platform was designed to address significant barriers faced by SSE organisations in accessing public procurement markets. ESS 2024 benefitted from a yearly grant from the City of Paris. It aimed to create a level playing field by offering information, capacity-building services, and direct support in responding to tenders:

• Information dissemination service. By listing and categorising procurement opportunities from diverse sources across the country - such as the City of Marseille and Tahiti’s surfing events - ESS 2024 ensured comprehensive access to opportunities. Such streamlined processes were particularly beneficial for SSE entities and small businesses lacking the resources for independent tender monitoring.

• Capacity building and training: ESS 2024 invested heavily in equipping enterprises to navigate the complexities of public procurement. The platform offered both general and tailored training on legal and administrative requirements. These efforts extended beyond webinars, with in-person training sessions held across the country. By framing public procurement as an ongoing opportunity - not limited to the Games - the platform encouraged businesses to engage with local and regional tenders post-Games.

• Promoting collaboration and consortia: One of the most effective aspects of ESS 2024’s operational strategy was its focus on fostering collaborations between businesses. For large contracts that exceeded the capacity of individual SSE entities, the platform facilitated consortium formation. For instance, the furniture procurement for Paris 2024’s Organising Committee headquarters required breaking a single 26,000-square-metre project into eight thematic lots. Despite these adaptations, some lots remained challenging for smaller enterprises, necessitating consortium-building. ESS 2024 actively mediated these processes, addressing technical and volume-based complementarities while fostering trust among consortium members.

Since its creation in 2018, the platform has referenced more than 6 000 businesses, relayed market opportunities, and provided advice and training. In addition, more than 750 companies have benefited from individual coaching, with administrative and technical support to respond to calls for tender.

In addition to the possibility of accessing these contracts in connection with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, several tools have been put in place to achieve the objectives of opening up to the social economy:

• A weekly newsletter relaying legal news, market-related news and upcoming support meetings for SSE companies.

• Practical information sheets designed to help SSE companies bid for public contracts related to the Games.

• Monthly information sessions to present models of cooperation between large groups and SSE players. These sessions were an opportunity for SSE companies to share their experiences and receive advice on how to group together to bid for public contracts.

The initiative benefited from Les Canaux knowledge of the circular, social and solidarity economy ecosystem and its main players across France. The platform had a broad focus reaching beyond formally defined social and solidarity economy entities (see and engaged other companies committed to bring social value. It also fostered innovative collaborations. For example, Le Pavé (a small business producing recycled plastic seats, initially known as SAS Minimum), partnered with Lemon Tri (a plastic waste-sorting SSE) and Terravox (an SSE focused on awareness-raising) to deliver seating solutions for Arena 2 Porte de la Capelle (Adidas Arena). Such partnerships blurred traditional boundaries between SSE and non-SSE entities, exemplifying the inclusive potential of mixed economic ecosystems (see further examples in Box 1.8).

Box 1.8. Examples of circular, social and solidarity economy entities and companies supplying services for the Games

Vesto is a company specialising in the reuse and refurbishment of technical catering equipment which supplied almost 300 kitchen units for the Athlete’s Village, subcontracted by Sodexo Live. Trained in public procurement by ESS2024, Vesto engaged with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee to integrate refurbished equipment into the event kitchens. Although the equipment was not directly purchased by the Organising Committee but by their catering contractor, the Committee facilitated the connection and encouraged the contractor to incorporate circular economy principles in their procurement. The requirement was twofold: source second-hand equipment for the Games and manage the end-of-life of this equipment post-Games, addressing both environmental and economic concerns in the process. Initially, a contract demanded very specific machine models, which Vesto could only fulfil about 60% due to sourcing challenges. A subsequent contract allowed for the substitution of equivalent models based on specifications rather than exact models, enabling Vesto to meet 100% of the demand. Additionally, a third component was added: repurposing around 800 pieces of equipment post-Games to avoid nearly 40 tonnes of waste.

Another success, highlighting the joint efforts of ESS 2024 and integration and disability networks, is Paris 2024’s contract for managing and cleaning the linen of the Athlete’s Village residents. This tender was reserved for enterprises employing and supporting individuals in professional integration or living with disabilities, in line with provisions allowed under French public procurement law (Article L. 2113-12). With the support of ESS 2024 and the relevant networks, the contract was awarded to a consortium of nine organisations combining social inclusion and disability support, led by La Conciergerie Solidaire. Valued at nearly two million euros, the contract engaged over 350 individuals.

Source: OECD CFE Cogito blog

Challenges encountered and responses taken

The initiative encountered several challenges, particularly around financial constraints - delayed payments in public procurement strained the cash flow of small businesses, threatening their operational stability. While public procurement rules mandate 30-day payment terms, actual timelines often extend to 45 days. ESS 2024 advocated for dedicated financial tools and relay funding to address these systemic issues, particularly for innovative and circular economy enterprises requiring upfront investments. Similarly, fostering trust and co-operation among certain consortium members proved difficult. Companies often hesitated due to the financial and operational risks associated with joint ventures, such as accountability for defaulting partners.

Results and what’s next

ESS 2024 has reached significant milestones in promoting economic inclusion and capacity building. Over 6 000 enterprises registered on the platform, nearly half of which belong to the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The remaining registrants included SMEs, micro-enterprises, and businesses engaged in circular economy practices. Since 2018, more than 800 social, solidarity-based, and circular enterprises have been involved in the Paris 2024 Games through major contracting authorities, including 429 directly by the Organising Committee. Among these, 296 secured first-tier contracts - either by directly winning public tenders or by being specifically solicited by Paris 2024 - while 133 were engaged as subcontractors. In total, these SSE enterprises have delivered over 850 Games-related services, ranging from small-scale interventions to a EUR 1.7 million laundry contract. Furthermore, 50% of the SSE and circular economy organisations awarded contracts are based in the Île-de-France region, and they account for approximately 70% of the services provided in these sectors as part of the Games (Comité d'Organisation Paris 2024, 2024[12]).

While Social Charter social procurement and integration commitments have been surpassed with the significant share of the contracts - 37%, surpassing the target of 25% - awarded to local MSMEs and social economy entities, for future major events it can be considered introducing a specific separate target for circular and SSE entities, as recommended in the OECD Impact Indicators for Culture, Sport and Business Events (OECD, 2023[13]).

The ESS 2024 initiative offers several lessons to inform future major events and related policy frameworks. High-level political support proved to be a key enabling factor. The establishment of a strategic committee chaired by Tony Estanguet, alongside funding from Paris 2024 and SOLIDEO, complemented by support from the City of Paris, provided the initiative with both legitimacy and operational leverage. In addition, close collaboration with public procurement teams ensured that tendering processes were designed to reflect the capacities of the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The institutionalisation of intermediary models, as demonstrated by ESS 2024, can help secure the sustained integration of SSE actors into large-scale projects. Lastly, broader awareness-raising campaigns can enhance the visibility and perceived value of SSE enterprises, strengthening their contribution to achieving social and economic objectives.

In early 2025, to build on the legacy of ESS 2024, the association Les Canaux and its partners launched the platform La Fabrique des Marchés Responsables. This initiative offers targeted support - including diagnostics, training, and networking - as well as a sourcing platform to identify local economic opportunities. Initially, La Fabrique targets businesses in Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, and the Sud Region. With support from JPMorgan Chase and Bpifrance, the platform ultimately aims to scale nationally to meet the needs of territories undergoing economic and social transitions.

Case study: Supporting innovative SMEs: wastewater recycling

Objectives and activities

The following sections highlight specific initiatives undertaken by Paris 2024 in which public procurement was used as a lever to advance the social and economic inclusion objectives set out in its responsible sourcing strategy. Engaging micro and small enterprises (TPE/PME) and entities from the social and solidarity economy (SSE) thus became a key economic priority for the procurement strategies of the Games’ main contracting authorities.

The large-scale mobilisation of TPE/PMEs was also intended to foster innovation. One of the organisers’ objectives was to integrate the ecosystem of small, innovative enterprises into the delivery of major infrastructure projects, which were otherwise led predominantly by large construction firms. This was exemplified by the initiative to recover and reuse wastewater within the Athletes’ Village.

The objective of the wastewater recycling initiative was to enable its reuse for non-potable purposes such as washing machines and irrigation of green spaces, thereby contributing to the cooling of urban heat islands. This initiative aimed to reduce potable water consumption and promote the sustainable management of water resources. It aligns with the national goal of increasing the proportion of reused wastewater to 10% by 2030. This represents a significant challenge for France, which currently recycles less than 2% of its wastewater, compared to 15% in Italy and 20% in Spain.

These initiatives helped raise awareness among companies that are unfamiliar or inexperienced with public procurement procedures about the opportunities offered by the Games. In 2019, NEREUS, an SME based in Hérault, was awarded the contract for the Cycle Building and the Green Bow project. The Cycle Building, located in the Olympic Village, was designed to recycle greywater for use in washing machines and landscape irrigation. The Green Bow project aimed to intercept wastewater for the irrigation of green spaces. For the Cycle Building, the company received a EUR 1.5 million innovation grant from SOLIDEO to cover additional engineering, implementation, and investment costs.

The Athletes’ Village: A Demonstration of the Eco-Responsible City of Tomorrow

Since 2018, SOLIDEO has placed circular economy principles - particularly circular innovation - at the heart of its procurement strategy. In order to promote and encourage the everyday application of circularity, particular attention was paid to the water cycle and the reuse of rainwater. Water recycling was prioritised for several reasons: the imperative of local reuse of wastewater in the context of climate change, and the need to challenge the prevailing linear economic model, which relies on discharging all wastewater into the sewage system - leading to pollution, high energy consumption, and significant carbon emissions.

Box 1.9. Innovation in water recycling: the Green Bow project and the Cycle building

The Green Bow Project is an innovative initiative associated with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, focusing on sustainable water management within the Athletes’ Village. The project involves extracting wastewater from the village’s underground network, treating it, and repurposing it for irrigating green spaces.

Designed with a reversible architecture, allowing for multiple uses over its lifecycle, the Cycle Building (Bâtiment Cycle) was constructed to accommodate approximately 3 000 athletes during the Games. Post-Games, it is intended to be transformed into a functional urban space for residents, aligning with the legacy goals of creating sustainable and adaptable urban developments. This building serves as a pilot project for implementing new solutions aimed at creating short circuits for water and bio-waste management in collaboration with the surrounding territory. Specifically, it focuses on the recycling of waste and wastewater, contributing to the Games’ sustainability objectives.

To this end, SOLIDEO developed a set of functional specifications that encouraged bidders to put forward their most innovative solutions. For the first contract, applicants were required to propose innovative measures to mitigate the urban heat island effect within the Athletes’ Village. These solutions were to incorporate suitable materials, permeable surface treatments, and on-site wastewater treatment for the irrigation of vegetation. The overarching goal was to reduce perceived temperatures and improve comfort in public spaces. The second contract focused on resource circularity, aiming to transition towards “resource-positive buildings” and a “zero waste” operational model. This involved limiting environmental impact while generating local value and creating new employment opportunities. The selected project adopted a circular model that separately managed material flows, delivering multiple environmental and economic benefits.

As part of the “Green Bow” project, the aim was to intercept wastewater from sewers using valves in order to irrigate part of the village’s tree stock. The selected solution is an innovative approach that involves pumping wastewater from the Athletes’ Village’s underground sewer network and directing it to a treatment plant. The treated water is then stored in tanks and used to irrigate green spaces. During the summer, this system is expected to supply more than 23 cubic metres of recycled water per day - enough to irrigate half a hectare.

In the Cycle Building, domestic wastewater is recycled to supply washing machines and irrigate vegetation, through a mini-treatment plant installed in the building’s basement. The treated water is reused for flushing toilets, showers, laundry, and green space irrigation, reducing potable water consumption by 60% and meeting 95% of the building’s hot water needs. The goal was to develop a fully operational demonstrator that includes the final recovery and reuse of wastewater. Although the contract is modest in volume, the project has had a significant impact due to its experimental nature. However, the actual impact cannot yet be assessed, as although the building was completed prior to the Games, the recycling system will only become operational afterwards, once the building is converted into housing.

Challenges encountered and responses taken

Operationalising innovation: multiple challenges

Balancing technical innovation with regulatory compliance can prove challenging. Wastewater recycling is a prime example, as French legislation on water reuse lags behind that of other European countries (Vie publique, 2023[14]). Implementing these technical innovations in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games posed a significant challenge. For instance, in the case of the Cycle building, a special exemption had to be obtained from the Regional Health Agency (ARS) to use recycled water for laundry machines - a first in France. NEREUS, the company awarded the contract, reported a lengthy and complex administrative process, made possible thanks to SOLIDEO’s support.

In addition, the testing and adjustment phases impacted the feasibility of deploying innovative solutions. For example, for the Cycle building, contracting authorities and designers lacked data on actual building usage, occupant behaviour, or the nature of substances discharged into kitchen sinks. To address these uncertainties, NEREUS installed sensor systems to monitor water flow, pressure, and quality in real time. This technology enabled remote management and continuous process optimisation (Agence Qualité Construction, 2023[15]).

However, not all innovative solutions came to fruition, due to insufficient testing ahead of the Games. While the majority of projects funded through the Olympic and Paralympic innovation fund were completed by the start of the Games, two were ultimately abandoned. In both cases, test phases did not yield results robust enough to allow for implementation. One example was the planned construction of the world's largest 3D-printed concrete bridge over the Saint-Denis Canal in Aubervilliers, which was discontinued due to lack of adequate safety guarantees.

Innovative small enterprises and public procurement barriers

In their dealings with contracting authorities, SMEs often face the rigidities of public procurement systems and the formal nature of contractual relationships. NEREUS, for instance, encountered traditional challenges associated with public tender procedures: complex administrative requirements that are often ill-suited to the capacities of SMEs. The administrative processes, designed for much larger companies, proved difficult to adapt. This inflexible framework is frequently cited as a deterrent for smaller innovative actors.

Moreover, the tripartite contractual arrangement involving the property developer as contracting authority and SOLIDEO as the innovation sponsor added complexity to project delivery. Relationships with engineering firms and subcontractors, accustomed to large-scale civil engineering contracts, required adjustments to align expectations and practices. Despite these challenges, ongoing support from SOLIDEO and strategic guidance from ICADE (the real estate developer) enabled NEREUS to overcome the obstacles, according to its leadership.

A second major challenge was cash flow management. One of the primary constraints for TPE/PMEs is managing a temporary and rapid surge in demand resulting from the scale and temporary nature of the Games. This can place considerable strain on company finances, requiring quick solutions to meet Olympic-specific demands without jeopardising long-term stability. In NEREUS's case, the need to maintain a high level of working capital over an extended period was a significant barrier. The partial funding of their equipment further compounded the difficulty, requiring careful and strategic financial management.

Results and what’s next

Paris 2024: a turning point for innovative enterprises?

Initiatives implemented during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games enabled the testing and validation of innovative wastewater recycling solutions. These solutions may be replicated by other local authorities, for example, wastewater interception systems for tree irrigation or decentralised composting centres (such as those in the Cycle building). Nonetheless, beyond the environmental benefits achieved through circular approaches, it remains to be seen whether the exposure gained through the Games will translate into long-term impacts on the activity of innovative companies or on the regulatory framework.

According to its leadership, NEREUS’s involvement in Olympic contracts had a significant impact - not so much in financial terms, as the projects represented only 8–9% of the company’s activity - but in terms of technical and administrative learning. These contracts are expected to strengthen its positioning in the innovative wastewater recycling market. The visibility and credibility gained have already led to additional orders for new buildings.

The experience also highlighted the importance of legislation and regulation in enabling and facilitating innovation. It became clear that adapting the French institutional framework on wastewater recycling is essential to remove regulatory barriers and support the development of sustainable solutions. The exemption granted to NEREUS served to unlock such barriers.

By demonstrating the feasibility of innovative wastewater recycling solutions, Paris 2024 has had the potential to influence French legislation. The use of these techniques is aligned with the objectives of the French “Plan Eau” (Water Plan), launched on 30 March 2023. The plan seeks to promote the reuse of “non-conventional” water resources, with a target of developing 1 000 reuse projects nationwide by 2027 and multiplying by ten the volume of reused treated wastewater by 2030.

References

[15] Agence Qualité Construction (2023), JOP Paris 2024 – Le Village olympique pousse l’innovation en recyclant les eaux usées, https://qualiteconstruction.com/ressource/batiment/jop-paris-2024-village-olympique-innovation-recyclage-eaux-usees/.

[5] CDES and AMNYOS (2023), Actualisation de la cartographie des emplois directement mobilisés par l’organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques Paris 2024, https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/3156803/actualisation-de-la-cartographie-des-emplois-directement-mobilises-par-l-organisation-des-jeux-olymp?_lg=en-GB.

[4] CDES and AMNYOS (2019), Cartographie des emplois directement mobilisés par les Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de Paris 2024, https://v1.cdes.fr/sites/default/files/files/20190403_Cartographie_emplois_Paris2024_VF.pdf.

[12] Comité d’Organisation Paris 2024 (2024), RAPPORT DURABILITÉ & HÉRITAGE POST-JEUX, AXE STRATÉGIQUE : LIVRER DES JEUX PLUS RESPONSABLES, DÉCEMBRE 2024.

[11] Commission des Affaires culturelles et de l’éduction de l’Assemblée nationale (2023), Mission d’information sur les retombées des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de 2024 sur le tissu économique et associatif local.

[3] ESS2024 (2024), Faire des Jeux de Paris 2024 un levier de développement pour l’économie durable, https://lescanaux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/rapport-dimpact-ess2024_web.pdf.

[6] France Travail (2023), Comparaisons de trajectoires des bénéficiaires des opérations Du Stade Vers l’Emploi.

[7] Ministère du travail, de la santé, des solidarités et des familles (2025), Synthèse des réalisations de l’EDEC “Grands événements culturels et sportifs”, https://observatoires.afdas.com/sites/default/files/document-ressource/Bilan%20actions%20EDEC%20GECS.pdf.

[8] OECD (2023), “Buying social with the social economy: OECD Global Action “Promoting Social and Solidarity Economy Ecosystems””, OECD Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Papers, No. 2023/19, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/c24fccd0-en.

[13] OECD (2023), “Impact indicators for culture, sports and business events: A guide - Part II”, OECD Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Papers, No. 2023/11, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/e2062a5b-en.

[1] OECD (2018), OECD Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development, https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/OECD-LEGAL-0444.

[2] OECD (2025, forthcoming), Report on the Implementation of OECD Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development.

[9] Paris 2024 (2024), 3 4 5 1 2 DES JEUX QUI FONT AVEC MOINS, DES JEUX QUI FONT MIEUX RESPONSABILITÉS ET ENGAGEMENTS MÉTHODE ET OUTILS DES JEUX GRANDS OUVERTS, https://medias.paris2024.org/uploads/2023/11/Executive-.

[10] Paris 2024 (2024), Rapport Durabilité et Héritage Pré-Jeux, https://medias.paris2024.org/uploads/2024/06/Paris2024-240531-RAPPORT-DURABILITE-HERITAGE.pdf.

[14] Vie publique (2023), Traitement et réutilisation des eaux usées en France: ou en sommes-nous?, https://www.vie-publique.fr/parole-dexpert/291728-traitement-et-reutilisation-des-eaux-usees-en-france-ou-en-sommes-nous.

Notes

← 1.  An independent institution in France responsible for overseeing public finances and ensuring the proper use of public funds.

← 2.  Jobs mobilised do not mean jobs created, full-time jobs or permanent jobs.

← 3.  The differing profiles of DSVE beneficiaries compared to overall jobseekers or participants in other recruitment initiatives complicate a direct comparison of “raw” employment return rates across these groups. To enable a fair comparison, a matched control group (“witness group”) was constructed with characteristics matching DSVE beneficiaries on the following dimensions: Education level, age, duration of unemployment, qualification level, RSA receipt, gender, registration reason, type of follow-up, disability status, residence in disadvantaged areas (QPV), nationality, job classification, agency performance group, peripheral barriers, intensity of unemployment in Category A, region, and eligibility for unemployment benefits. The DSVE beneficiaries included in this analysis participated in events held between February and July 2022, representing approximately 2,000 individuals. For each beneficiary, a control participant with closely matching characteristics was identified using a matching operation.

← 4.  It should be noted that the results should not be considered as measures of the programme’s “impact” because jobseekers who are offered and accept participation in DSVE may be more motivated than the average, which could partially explain the observed differences.

← 5.  Total access to employment or training measures all instances of returning to work, regardless of the type of contract (permanent, fixed-term, or temporary) and its duration, or access to a training programme

← 6.  For further information on the labour market of the City of Paris and the related policies, see OECD (2025), Paris, ville de talents, OECD Local Job Creation Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9780abe4-fr (in French only).

← 7.  These actors are: EPEC for Paris (Établissement Public d’Insertion de la Ville de Paris - the Public Employment and Integration Agency of the City of Paris), EPT (établissement publics territorial - territorial public establishment sponsible for a range of local public policies) Plaine Commune, and PLIE (Plan Local pour l’Insertion et l’Emploi - Local Plan for Integration and Employment) for Seine-Saint-Denis.

← 8.  Plaine Commune is a French intercommunal structure, or “communauté d’agglomération,” that brings together several municipalities in the northern suburbs of Paris, within the department of Seine-Saint-Denis.

← 9.  OPCOs are responsible for supporting the professional training and development of employees, particularly in specific sectors. Their main roles include funding professional training, helping SMEs manage training programmes, and ensuring that the training aligns with industry needs. OPCOs work closely with businesses to improve workforce skills and support professional retraining, playing an important role in developing sector-specific competencies.

← 10.  Groupe BPCE stands out for its cooperative banking model, where its customers are also shareholders, and its commitment to sustainable development and regional economic support. It is the second-largest banking group in France and a leader in green and social bonds, actively integrating social responsibility and innovation into its financial services. Additionally, its dual-network structure (Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne) allows it to provide tailored solutions to both individuals and businesses across diverse regions.

← 11.  However, it is important to note that while the target for contracted working hours was significantly exceeded, this was largely achieved through the use of apprenticeship contracts and temporary employment agencies, which accounted for more than 50% of the jobs; only 8% of the contracts were dedicated integration contracts and 6% were fixed-term contracts. Furthermore, instances of non-compliance with the commitments made during the bidding process were observed, particularly in cases where large companies responded to calls for tenders but ultimately did not engage the services of SMEs or social economy actors. See: Le Monde Diplomatique, May 2024: Des JO « responsables », un chantier inachevé; and Global Deal (2024), Global Deal Flagship Report 2024, Shaping Transitions to Decent Work: Social dialogue for a better future.

← 12.  Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a French environmentalist, activist, journalist and photographer.