Paris 2024 Social Charter Sets New Standard for Responsible Games Delivery

Marie Barsacq, Director of Impact and Legacy for the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, describes the Charter as a strategic and ambitious framework.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are setting a groundbreaking precedent with their Social Charter, introduced in 2018. This Charter, featuring sixteen binding commitments aligned with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) decent work agenda, focuses on a sustainable and inclusive approach to the games' delivery, aiming to create a lasting social development legacy.

Marie Barsacq, Director of Impact and Legacy for the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, describes the Charter as a strategic and ambitious framework. “We chose not to take the easy path; our goal was to achieve significant results,” Barsacq states. She emphasizes that the Charter is integral to the dual objectives of the Games: showcasing top athletic talent and ensuring the event is socially and environmentally responsible.

The Social Charter's commitments address a wide range of decent work areas. These include ensuring minimum working conditions, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in participating in bidding and procurement processes, and enforcing compliance with International Labour Standards by subcontractors and suppliers. The Charter also includes benchmarks for gender diversity, the inclusion of people with disabilities, and youth skills development.

The Charter has facilitated collaboration between French trade unions, employers’ organizations, and SOLIDEO, the body responsible for delivering the Games' infrastructure. Support from the ILO has been crucial in formalizing these commitments and connecting them with international partners.

With a procurement budget of Euro 2.5 billion, the Paris 2024 organizers were determined to maximize social and environmental benefits. Their procurement strategy asked companies about their circular economy practices, carbon footprint reduction, employment of individuals with impairments, recruitment of those outside the workforce, and local impact. This approach led to 79% of the Games’ tender budget being allocated to SMEs, including 500 social enterprises.

The Charter's standards also contributed to improved working conditions on construction sites, resulting in a significant reduction in accident rates compared to industry norms in France. Barsacq highlights that these results demonstrate the value of investing in preventive measures and responsible practices, underscoring the Charter’s success in promoting a fair and inclusive legacy for the Games.