1.9 Current debates and reforms
On this page
Forthcoming policy developments
The Universal National Service (SNU)
The Universal National Service (SNU), created in 2019, is aimed at all young French men and women aged between 15 and 17. The content of the cohesion stay and the mission of general interest aim to enable young participants to acquire a set of knowledge and skills, both practical and behavioural, around three major issues
- Strengthening the resilience of the nation
- Developing social cohesion
- Promoting a culture of commitment
It includes a cohesion stay, during which the young people are accommodated collectively for a fortnight and take part in introductions to first aid, citizenship, the highway code, physical and cohesion activities, discoveries of the local cultural heritage, etc., followed by a mission of general interest, during which the young people are responsible for providing assistance to a host structure (retirement home, association, uniformed corps, etc.) . Each young person can then pursue a period of commitment, from three months to one year, on a voluntary basis, between the ages of 16 and 25.
The Universal National Service grew in 2022 with three sessions and 32,200 people welcomed in the centres. A generalisation to all young people in a given age group was announced in 2024 for the year 2026.
Ongoing debates
As part of the reflection on the SNU scheme, a prime minister announcement was made regarding its generalisation by 2026.