Fratries - France

The funding from the Air Liquide Foundation was essential to support Florence’s work as the head of the Paris house. On a daily basis, she facilitates the shared and social life of the coliving space and supports young people with disabilities in their journey toward employment.

Fratries’ goal is to promote social cohesion and the social and professional inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

Inclusive coliving for everyone

Since 2022, with the opening of the first coliving space in Nantes, Fratries has continued to open new houses in major French cities.

Each Fratries living space is in the heart of the city, fully equipped, and designed to accommodate between 10 and 16 young people, with and without intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders. Among them, there are no caregiving responsibilities, just equal, friendly relationships, just like in a classic coliving arrangement!

Fratries is innovating by offering housing combined with a support program for employment access and integration. Each housemate with a disability is not only supported in developing their independence, thanks to a team of daily life assistants present every day, but also in building a professional project in ordinary working environments (if they wish), through job coaching provided by the house manager.

Currently, more than 70 young people are living in Fratries houses, and the model works! Genuine bonds are formed between housemates, and everyone grows through their differences. 100% of housemates without disabilities report having developed or strengthened human qualities, and 80% say they are now more willing to work with people with disabilities.

What the Air Liquide Foundation does

Thanks to the support of the Air Liquide Foundation, Fratries is able to fund the work of Florence, the manager of an inclusive 750 m² coliving space located on Rue Blomet, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. Opened in October 2025, it hosts 16 young people, including 6 with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorders.

Florence lives on-site and plays a key role: she individually supports the six roommates with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders in their professional integration. This support is tailor-made, long-term, and focuses on what each person can do (rather than what they cannot do). Currently, she is helping some roommates identify their “dream job. Currently, she is helping some of them identify their “dream job.”

Hired a year before the house opened, Florence was able to support future housemates and their caregivers in co-creating their life projects (through workshops, one-on-one and group sessions) to help them prepare for the transition.

Once the house is open, residents with disabilities are supported toward independence by a team of daily life assistants present every day.

The support of the Air Liquide Foundation is therefore essential to ensure these young people receive proper support and achieve personal fulfillment.

How the Air Liquide Foundation is participating 

To date, Air Liquide employees have kindly volunteered to lend a hand during the setup of Fratries Paris, helping with tasks such as assembling furniture, organizing, and cleaning.

Once the house is open, they will have the opportunity to introduce Air Liquide’s professions as part of the job coaching program or occasionally contribute to various house maintenance tasks.