Desjardins launches the 2009 Bursaries for 18-to-30-year-olds program

Montréal, September 11, 2009 – Fondation Desjardins, a component of Desjardins Group, announces the launch of the 2009 edition of the Bursaries for 18-to-30-year-olds program for young people seeking to improve their employability.

The call for candidates has begun in Desjardins caisses in Québec and Ontario, local employment centres and professional training centres. The program now includes 80 bursaries of $750 each, for a total of $60,000.

These bursaries are meant to encourage young people who need a little boost for personal projects such as technical or supplementary training and for purchasing educational materials, or even for going back to school. International projects are also eligible if they are shown to provide benefits for Canada. Any skill search that can assist young people in preparing for a better future and better social integration is acceptable.

The Fondation Desjardins Bursaries for 18-to-30-year-olds program was created 21 years ago and in that time it has awarded over $785,000 to help 15,080 young people starting out in their careers. It is offered to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Applications will be accepted until November 10, 2009, and Desjardins caisses will award bursaries to recipients in March 2010. Application forms and eligibility conditions are available on the Web site at: www.desjardins.com/en/fondation.

About Fondation Desjardins

As a component of Desjardins Group, the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, Fondation Desjardins fulfils its mission to provide educational support by distributing university scholarships and bursaries throughout Québec and Ontario for training, skills development and cooperative spirit. The foundation also hands out awards in recognition of volunteer activities and to support entrepreneurship and employment. In 2009, Fondation Desjardins will distribute nearly $650,000. In Québec, it is well known for distributing more university scholarships than any other private foundation in the province. Since its inception, the foundation has given away almost $11 million dollars to over 8,700 young people to support education. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com/en/fondation.

###

Information (for journalists only):

Hélène Lavoie
Advisor, Information and Media Relations
Desjardins Group
514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275

Éliane Didier
Coordinator
Fondation Desjardins
514-281-7170 or 1-800-443-8611