For over 20 years, the [Fondation du Crédit Mutuel pour la lecture](https://fondation.creditmutuel.com/lecture/fr/index.html) and Crédit Mutuel Méditerranéen have been supporting projects to prevent and combat illiteracy.
To encourage associations working in this field, the regional cooperative bank is launching the “prevent and fight against illiteracy” contest for the 10th consecutive year.
In 2014, 82 associations were candidates (compared to 67 in 2013 and 2012, 55 in 2011, and 45 in 2010). After selection and decision by an independent jury composed of journalists and specialists in illiteracy, 13 associations were awarded a total of 15,000 euros.
The actions to prevent illiteracy focus on children and young people (up to 16 years old) and also aim to bring parents who are distant from written culture and basic skills closer to it, so they can pass on the love of reading to their children and support them in their schooling.
The actions to fight against illiteracy concern adults who have been educated in France, enabling everyone to acquire or reacquire the basic skills necessary for simple daily life tasks, to be more autonomous in their family, professional, and civic lives.
