The General Assembly of Electriciens sans frontières took place on 15 and 16 June 2026 in Lyon. This annual meeting brought together the regional secretariats, numerous volunteers from the 14 regional delegations, staff members, and members of the Board of Directors. Together, they took time to reflect and work on future energy challenges and the long-term sustainability of the organisation’s work.
A symbolic year marked by the passing on of knowledge and the challenges ahead
Held in the year marking the NGO’s 40th anniversary, this General Assembly was a key moment of transition, with the appointment of a new president.
"
« 40 ans, c’est l’occasion de regarder notre histoire, bien sûr, mais aussi et surtout de nous tourner vers l’avenir. » "
Marc Gratton, Président d'Electriciens sans frontières
On this occasion, Marc Gratton, the new president of Electriciens sans frontières, who succeeds Hervé Gouyet, emphasised the importance of mobilising the full strength of the network to respond to the growing humanitarian and development challenges around the world.
For access to energy remains much more than a technical issue: it is a key driver of access to water, healthcare, education and economic development.
This transition also provided an opportunity to pay tribute to Hervé Gouyet, who chaired the association for twenty-two years. Through his unwavering commitment, vision and tireless dedication, he made a decisive contribution to the development, organisation and influence of Electriciens sans frontières. His work was warmly applauded by all the members gathered at this General Assembly.
A new board committed to championing the association’s cause
The new executive committee of Electriciens sans frontières, comprising Marc Gratton, chair (who is also an employee of Enedis), Hervé Gouyet, vice-chairman, Jean-Christophe Huchard, treasurer (who is also an employee of EDF) and Jean-Michel Thomas, general secretary, will, alongside the association’s 1,200 volunteers, champion the cause of making access to energy a fundamental right and a key factor in resilience for the most vulnerable communities.
Against a backdrop of increasing humanitarian crises and declining funding for official development assistance, the role of international aid organisations such as Electricians Without Borders is proving more essential than ever.
Reappointment of the Board of Directors
Following the approval of the management report, the annual report and the financial statements, the General Meeting proceeded to re-elect its Board of Directors.
It is now composed as follows:
In respect of active members:
Alexandre Anjuere, Jean Comby, Karine Dellière, Thierry Eve, Vincent Follet, Manon Fouquet, Didier Issen, Jean Lieb, Robert Olive, Ingrid Ruyant, Dominique Thépaut.
In the category of qualified individuals:
Cyril Carabot, Rudy Cluzel, Virginie Gatin, Eliza Madhavy-Turcat, François Milioni, Alexandre Perra, Virginie Schwarz, Anne-Charlotte Wedrychowski.
On behalf of the Executive Committee:
Marc Gratton (Chairman), Hervé Gouyet (Vice-Chairman), Jean-Christophe Huchard (Treasurer), Jean-Michel Thomas (Secretary-General).
A round-table discussion to celebrate the association’s collective memory
A highlight of this General Assembly was a round-table discussion which provided an opportunity to look back at the flagship projects carried out over the past few decades, the challenges faced on the ground, and the lessons learnt from these experiences.
This perspective has also opened up avenues for reflection on the future, with a view to ‘another 40 years’ of commitment to ensuring access to energy for all.
A reshuffle of the regional secretariats: at the heart of community life
This General Assembly was also marked by the renewal of several regional secretariats, which play a vital role in the life and running of Electriciens sans frontières at the local level. As the driving force behind the organisation, they are responsible on a day-to-day basis for coordinating regional delegations, mobilising volunteers and implementing initiatives on the ground.
The association was keen to pay tribute to the remarkable commitment of those who have carried out these responsibilities with dedication and generosity, sometimes for many years, or even several decades. Their dedication has played a major part in bringing the values of Electriciens sans frontières to life and in strengthening its local presence.
This leadership change also reflects the organisation’s vitality, with the arrival of new leaders ready to continue and build on the work begun by their predecessors. This handover will enable the NGO to continue expanding its activities and tackling future challenges, in the pursuit of energy access for all.
Building on this shared history, the NGO is firmly focused on the future, driven by the commitment of its volunteers and partners to address the humanitarian and energy challenges of the coming decades.
