EDHEC publishes the results of the first “Newgen for Citizenship” barometer
On 25 November 2025, EDHEC Business School published the results of the first “Newgen for Citizenship” barometer conducted by the EDHEC NewGen Talent Centre. The survey focuses on the specific details of the civic engagement of today’s new generations of youngsters and analyses the responsible practices of young French entrepreneurs.
The EDHEC NewGen Talent Centre launched “NewGen for Citizenship”, the first barometer of the civic engagement of today’s new generations of youngsters. Structured in two parts – the involvement of new generations in civic activities and the responsible practices of young entrepreneurs – the survey measured and described this age group’s contribution to society. The barometer notably revealed the day-to-day commitment and volunteering activities of a young generation that displays a marked awareness of societal and environmental issues, along with the desire of young entrepreneurs to incorporate ESG principles into their business models.
Students heavily engaged in civic activities
The first part of the survey – based on a sample of 2,529 preparatory class and university students – sought to analyse the involvement of students in society and the way in which their engagement resonates with their future career. According to the barometer, 82% of students take part in voluntary civic activities on a regular and unpaid basis. Their engagement takes a variety of forms: 45% of respondents are involved in humanitarian or charitable actions, while 35% take part in skills and knowledge transmission (tutoring, sport, culture).
Their participation has several origins, such as conviction, cited by 93% of those questioned, the pleasure of being useful (77%) and the desire to contribute to the common good (75%). A majority of volunteers (61%) also devote their time both in school periods and holiday periods, thus signifying the enduring nature of their involvement.
As for the drivers of their engagement, 41% of students underlined the wish to “give back” to society what they consider society to have given them. Among other levers, the desire to establish social relations or to make friends was the foremost motivation, being cited by 20% of respondents, while others emphasised their adherence to strong values and their loyalty to their chosen cause.
In addition, these engagements also have a direct influence on the respondents’ professional trajectory: 86% of youngsters asserted that these activities guide the type of impact (social, societal, environmental, etc.) they want to have in their future careers. In this respect, 79% of students showcase these experiences in their CVs. More than half of them (52%) replied that they took these experiences into account when considering their future, while 48% said that they have a concrete impact on their choice of future career.
Civic engagement to responsible entrepreneurship
Constructed from the results of the Innova Europe barometer, the second part of the survey was devoted to the responsible practices of young French entrepreneurs. It revealed a high level of generational coherence in terms of engagement: 88% of the entrepreneurs questioned aim to have a net positive transformational impact on society, with half of these seeking to have an impact at all levels – environmental, social, governance and civic.
Among the most common responsible practices, 66% of start-ups are implementing or reinforcing transparent and ethical governance, 61% are developing initiatives for the benefit of their employees and 40% are involved in community engagement projects.
Lastly, 68% of entrepreneurs said that responsible engagements are now a decisive factor in their choice of employees. One entrepreneur in two considers that an applicant’s civic engagement provides a guarantee of their alignment with the company’s culture and values. “Whereas the new generation is turning away from politics and holding companies to account for the world’s issues, the civic engagement of youngsters is guiding their professional trajectory and the impact they want to have in their future career”, observes Manuelle Malot, Director of the EDHEC NewGen Talent Centre. “For more than two thirds of young entrepreneurs, responsible engagements are now a decisive factor in their choice of employees”.
Link to the first “Newgen for Citizenship” barometer (PDF)
Read the press release (PDF)
