An environmentally and socially responsible initiative is giving thousands of school laptops a second life, while supporting young people in need beyond the Principality…
A total of 2,700 digital devices are being reconditioned as part of a joint operation led by the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition and the Directorate of National Education, Youth and Sport.
Originally distributed to students as part of Monaco’s large-scale digital education programme, the computers were designed for use over a three- to five-year cycle. Rather than opting for standard recycling once that period ended, the government chose a more sustainable solution focused on reuse. Working with local partners, the devices are collected, sorted, refurbished and fully wiped of data before being reintroduced into circulation.
A handover ceremony took place at the premises of AMADE, marking a key step in the project. The association will distribute the laptops through a mentoring initiative developed in partnership with the Break Poverty Foundation and child social services in the Alpes-Maritimes. The programme supports young people placed under child welfare services, pairing educational mentoring with practical tools such as personal computers.
In the Alpes-Maritimes alone, up to 350 laptops will be allocated to beneficiaries, helping to reduce digital inequality while reinforcing educational support. The initiative also aims to promote awareness around responsible digital use and the value of extending the lifespan of electronic equipment.
Following its success, the programme is expected to expand further at national level in France, ensuring that all suitable devices entrusted to the scheme can be reused, combining environmental responsibility with tangible social impact.
Photo by Joshua Woroniecki
