GEMMES is a French non-profit organization founded in 2020 by Caroline Avanzo. Its name, Gemmes, meaning gemstones, symbolizes the unique and invaluable potential within every young person, which deserves to be nurtured and empowered to shine in the world.
GEMMES envisions a world where each individual can cultivate their inner “gems” through education, contributing to more just, inclusive, and sustainable societies. The organization places a strong emphasis on equal opportunity, working to support disadvantaged youth and bridge the divide between young people from different backgrounds.
Focusing on youth aged 12 to 24, GEMMES helps them gain a fresh perspective on themselves, others, and their environment. Through its programs, the organization fosters the development of psychosocial skills that enable young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world and become active contributors to the well-being of their communities.
GEMMES carries out philanthropic activities in the fields of education and culture, notably by offering young people and their educators innovative educational and cultural frameworks. These initiatives aim to help youth develop and express their full potential in a holistic way, ultimately empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Their holistic approach focuses on creating safe, inclusive spaces for meaningful dialogue and personal growth, where young individuals can confidently explore and shape their identities within their communities. Through this process, GEMMES supports youth in developing a renewed perspective on themselves, others, and the world around them.
Each year, the organization hosts a range of interactive workshops–such as Building Courage in Me, The World and Me, Slam Poetry, and Videos for Change–designed to help middle and high school students create a healthier, more inspiring school environment.
You can learn more about their workshops here.
GEMMES also developed the educational program SPARKS, specifically aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, which aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development by 2030, as well as the principles of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
SPARKS empowers teachers and educators to facilitate meaningful discussions among youth aged 12 to 18 on key cross-cutting themes such as empathy, responsibility, social justice, solidarity, identity, and inclusion. The program encourages participants to translate these reflections into action through community-based service projects.
To support educators, SPARKS provides training modules and educational kits that promote dialogue rooted in shared values and critical thinking. Each kit includes an introductory documentary, a teacher’s handbook, and a student workbook, offering a comprehensive and accessible framework for implementation.
GEMMES is committed to making SPARKS accessible to a wide range of schools and youth organizations. To ensure inclusivity, they offer these educational kits, either partially or entirely free of charge, to institutions that may not otherwise have the means to provide such resources to their students.
Your donations to GEMMES will be allocated to the SPARKS program, enabling young students to acquire the skills and resources needed to develop their individual identities.
Your donations will, more specifically, contribute to the funding of:
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