Collectif Désistance - Brussels

Helping young adults having served a prison sentence successfully reintegrate into society and the workplace

Leaving prison is a critical period—especially for young people—with the risk of reoffending reaching 70% without proper support. Collectif Désistance guides young offenders in Brussels towards lasting social and professional reintegration through intensive, personalized follow-up. With the support of the Air Liquide Foundation, Boost Emploi provides comprehensive support into and within employment, transforming a job opportunity into a sustainable life path. The goal: reducing recidivism and enabling these young people to reclaim an active place in society.

A springboard to employment for a lasting exit from crime

Boost Emploi is aimed at young prisoners, ex-prisoners, or those released under conditions, aged 18 to 30, mainly from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brussels. Motivated yet faced with multiple obstacles (lack of qualifications, criminal record, limited networks…), these young people struggle to access the job market. Boost Emploi offers them intensive, individualized support for at least one year, structured in three stages:

  • Job readiness (daily personal and professional development workshops, coaching, mock interviews, meetings with employers).
  • Job integration (moral and social support during the first weeks of employment).
  • Long-term stabilization (post-employment follow-up, discussion groups, planning for the future).

This program builds on and extends the impact of the project-definition program Inside Détermination, while opening support to a greater number of young people. With the backing of the Air Liquide Foundation, a job placement coordinator has been recruited to develop and run the program, supported by external facilitators and Air Liquide employees involved through skills-based volunteering.

  • 120 young people supported each year

  • 70% job placement rate

  • Credit: Collectif Désistance

  • Credit: Collectif Désistance

  • Credit: Collectif Désistance

What the Air Liquide Foundation does?

The Air Liquide Foundation funds the recruitment of a job placement coordinator, the contribution of external experts for specialized workshops (stress management, self-image), as well as educational materials and operating costs related to the program. Concretely, this support allows 120 young offenders each year to benefit from intensive guidance into and within employment.

Collectif Désistance - Ensemble pour la réinsertion

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Air Liquide employees’ involvement

Air Liquide employees play an active role in the project:

  • Presenting different professions during Inside Détermination sessions.
  • Taking part in certification juries at the end of the program.
  • Leading mock interviews and CV review workshops.
  • Sharing inspiring career journeys at Air Liquide’s Brussels site.
  • Facilitating digital skills workshops.

These skills-based volunteering activities enable young people to broaden their professional horizons and build a direct, privileged connection with the business world.

Discover our other projects

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