Since 2016, EMLV and its parent institution, DVHE, have embedded sustainable development, ethics, and social responsibility at their core—now framed as the environmental and societal transition. This overarching approach is guided by four principles:
This strategy is supported by dedicated ERS governance, including institutional KPIs and cross-departmental coordination between the Soft Skills, Research and International teams.
In 2023, EMLV was awarded the French Développement Durable et Responsabilité Sociétale (DD&RS) label.
Jointly delivered by the Ministry of Higher Education, ADEME, and the CGE-CGEF, this certification recognises institutions that embed environmental and social responsibility into their strategy, operations, and academic activities. The label reflects EMLV’s long-term commitment to sustainability, diversity, and ethical leadership, and supports the continuous improvement of its impact across all dimensions of the School.
Within this framework, EMLV deploys concrete actions on topics such as inclusive education, climate awareness, and responsible research. The DD&RS roadmap includes regular self-assessment, stakeholder engagement, and improvement plans monitored by an internal ERS Committee.
Since 2016, cross‑school hackathons led by the Soft Skills team have brought students from all three DVHE schools together to explore sustainability, technology, and human-centred innovation
By 2025, 30 cross-disciplinary hackathons had already taken place. Most of these hackathons focus on the challenges of environmental and societal transition. Some themes are revisited in multiple hackathons, while others introduce new topics.
Through participating in hackathons, students develop soft skills such as teamwork, creativity, rapid learning, and critical thinking. They also deepen their understanding of sustainable development, CSR, and ethics through research and peer-to-peer exchanges. As agents of change, students propose innovative solutions and take action for the common good. These events foster critical thinking, teamwork, rapid learning and ethical reflection, leading to student‑designed solutions for societal challenges.
Examples of Hackathons:
See all the cross-disciplinary hackathon videos
From 2023 onwards, De Vinci Higher Education has chosen to focus its commitments and actions on six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identified as priorities based on its specificities and strategy:
This is a mandatory programme for all EMLV students, which includes:
All new students also participate in the Fresque du Climat, an educational workshop designed to foster understanding of climate change mechanisms and action pathways. Complementary versions such as the Digital Collage and Diversity Fresk are offered during the academic year.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to embed sustainability and ethics into everyday life at the School, from onboarding to graduation.
In line with its commitments, EMLV also supports applied ERS-oriented research. Several faculty members contribute to national and European projects on renewable energy, low-tech innovation, and responsible leadership. Research is shared through open-access platforms and public events, aiming to foster real-world impact.
EMLV is also a member of:
Our student associations are further equipped with trained SDG/CSR representatives and staff workshops. Initiatives include:
EMLV actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE) through a range of initiatives supported by the School’s dedicated Diversity Officer. Annual campaigns address discrimination and bias, while specific resources are made available for students with disabilities through a centralised support unit. Staff training on inclusive practices is provided regularly, and several student clubs lead awareness and solidarity initiatives aligned with these goals.
These commitments are reflected in recruitment processes, student life, curriculum content, and campus accessibility. Partnerships with associations and local actors reinforce these efforts, while international mobility is monitored to ensure equitable access for all.
The Cordée Mona Lisa, supported by De Vinci Higher Education, involves four schools in Nanterre in a structured support programme for 70 students from 4ᵉ to 1ʳᵉ, as part of the national Les Cordées de la Réussite scheme. This inter-grade programme involves the three schools in DVHE around six themes: guidance, cross-curricular skills workshops, cultural openness, sport, student tutoring and company visits.
The sessions, designed in collaboration with the educational teams, alternate between in-school presentations, time spent on the La Défense campus and activities run by student volunteers. The aim is to create lasting reference points for career guidance, by reinforcing the continuity between secondary and higher education.
Learn more about the Cordée Mona Lisa.
The AD Education Foundation promotes the shared values of the schools in the AD Education group, including De Vinci Higher Education. Sponsored by the Fondation de France and committed to equal opportunities, it supports educational projects aimed at helping vulnerable children and young people to develop, discover themselves and achieve their full potential.
Drawing on its expertise in the fields of creation and innovation, it provides financial, human and material support to associations that use experimentation, creative experience and culture as levers for inclusion.
→ Discover the AD Education Foundation
