For 15 years, Coop FA and Société VIA have partnered to position environmental education as a driver of change. This partnership, founded on the values of inclusion, social innovation, and collective responsibility, has helped raise awareness among thousands of young people and families about the importance of adopting concrete actions.
Two organizations, one shared vision
They have naturally combined their expertise and energy, driven by a strong conviction: education and public action are essential levers for building a viable future for the entire community.
Société VIA, a provincial leader in recyclable materials management, was founded in 1977. Its primary objective was to offer employment opportunities to people with functional limitations. This mission, focused on social inclusion, has evolved over the years to maintain and
expand its capacity to help daily. Today, it stands out as an adapted enterprise operating its network of sorting centers, while also raising awareness about responsible recycling practices.
Founded in 2007 in Lévis, Coop FA designs and implements innovative educational solutions to stimulate eco-responsible engagement and actively contribute to a sustainable society. Among its flagship initiatives is Carbone Scol’ERE, a program that educates elementary school children about climate change through interactive workshops and family challenges. Each eco-responsible action taken is measured in avoided greenhouse gas emissions, then verified to generate Educational Carbon Credits™. These credits can be purchased by citizens, businesses, or organizations wishing to offset their emissions while concretely supporting environmental education.
A collaboration that goes beyond funding
Since 2010, VIA has become a strategic ally of the program, playing a key role in its implementation and outreach across Quebec, with Jean-Sébastien Daigle, CEO of Société VIA, even serving as an ambassador. A major social economy player, VIA directly funds these meetings in elementary schools and supports accredited training organizations in the regions.
Thanks to its financial support, 55 educational workshops on issues related to consumption, energy, and residual materials management were conducted with about ten 5th and 6th-grade classes, mobilizing more than 230 students in 2023-2024.
Beyond financial support, VIA hosted the team in its offices and played a decisive role in the Parcours Vert (Green Journey), an initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gases by highlighting three companies specializing in recovery. This project offered many participants the opportunity to concretely discover how the sector works, the journey of materials after use, and to be inspired by innovative practices.
Looking to the future
It is with determination that Coop FA and Société VIA wish to continue their shared commitment. Building on the results achieved and the impact generated on the ground, the two partners aim to strengthen support for young people and concretely assist school environments in their transition to more sustainable practices. Investing in environmental education means investing in real and measurable change. In this context, we invite other businesses and organizations to join the movement.
Discover Carbone Scol’ERE and offset your GHG emissions by supporting environmental education here – https://qc.carbonescolere.com/