DPF Award 2025: L'Burn wins with an innovative approach to burnout in women

Marie Melikov - Senior Program Manager of Degroof Petercam Foundation

Vanessa Speleers - Junior Program Manager

The French non-profit organization L'Burn has been named the winner of the seventh Degroof Petercam Foundation Award (DPF Award). After a rigorous selection process, an independent jury selected L'Burn from four finalists.

The award includes a grant of one million euros spread over five years, which the association can use without restrictions. Additionally, L'Burn gains access to the expertise and network of the Degroof Petercam Foundation.

The prestigious DPF Award will enable L'Burn to further roll out its operations. The goal? To help even more women with burnout and ensure their social and professional reintegration is smoother.

Anne-Sophie Vives, founder of L'Burn, stated: “Winning the DPF Award is a tremendous milestone for L'Burn. This support allows us to further develop our franchise model, marking a major turning point for our organization. Additionally, through the Foundation’s network and the Degroof Petercam group, we can enhance our visibility. With this award, we hope to explore expanding our initiative into Belgium. Together, we can transform the lives of many women and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable society.”

Burnout: a taboo subject and a growing social problem

Burnout is on the rise across Europe. According to a 2024 NIHDI report, sick leave in Belgium due to burnout and depression increased by 43% between 2017 and 2022. Two-thirds of affected workers who are unable to continue their jobs are women. In France alone, 2.5 million people suffer from burnout. Across Europe, the condition affects 28% of the active workforce.

Several risk factors contribute to this growing issue, including economic uncertainty, changing work structures, and an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle that leads to physical and mental exhaustion. The problem is further exacerbated by weakened support networks, such as reduced societal and family support, as well as the fragmentation of traditional family structures. Both men and women are affected by these changes.

Burnout takes a severe human toll. On average, individuals suffering from burnout are unable to work for nearly 18 months. Of those who return to work, more than 40% relapse within two years, and 92% continue to struggle with cognitive impairments, extreme fatigue, and physical ailments.

The financial burden of burnout is significant, with long-term medical treatments and benefits for those unable to work. In single-parent households, financial insecurity can have further detrimental effects on both the parent and children.

Despite its recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is still not officially classified as a disease in Belgium and France. This lack of recognition leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating the situation. The estimated annual cost of burnout to European society is 240 billion euros.

From personal experience to the first association for women with burnout

In 2018, Anne-Sophie Vives was working as a notary when she experienced burnout. She found support through "Les BURN'ettes," a Facebook self-help group she founded to bring together women facing burnout.

Anne-Sophie aimed to create a space where women could receive the professional and personal support that employers and medical or social services often failed to provide. Through this online community, she also sought to raise awareness about the issue, which remains taboo and is worsened by workplace and family inequalities.

In March 2019, L'Burn was officially founded following discussions among members of Les BURN'ettes, researchers, and burnout professionals. The association took its mission a step further by developing tailored support protocols to meet the specific needs of affected women. L'Burn is also actively involved in research, recognition, and prevention of burnout.

L'Burn, with its team of nine employees, is dedicated to three main areas:

Providing counseling for women experiencing burnout

Raising awareness and educating people about the causes and effects of burnout

Offering training and prevention programs for companies and local authorities to help them recognize early signs and respond more quickly

Why L'Burn won the DPF Award

The DPF Award jury selected L'Burn for several key reasons. Firstly, the organization addresses an innovative and urgent issue: L'Burn is the first association dedicated to tackling burnout in women. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of affected women has skyrocketed, with no signs of slowing down. Numerous reports highlight the prevalence of this issue across various social and professional groups.

Why are women more prone to burnout?

Burnout, whether work-related or parental, disproportionately affects women. A 2020 survey conducted by L'Burn’s scientific committee revealed that 91% of respondents attributed their condition to gender-specific factors. These include workplace and family inequalities, undervaluation of female-dominated professions, mental workload, exposure to gender-based violence, and the struggle to balance work and family life, particularly for mothers.

Single mothers are especially vulnerable: in France, 85% of single-parent households are led by women.

This gender disparity was also evident in The LAB, a 2024 initiative by the Degroof Petercam Foundation that explored the balance between work and parenthood in Belgium. During a large-scale public consultation in June 2024, 87% of respondents were women, underscoring the importance of this issue to them.

Although many men also seek support from L'Burn, the association has chosen to focus on women due to the overwhelming need. However, the organization’s initiatives ultimately benefit society as a whole.

Anne-Sophie Pype, Managing Director of the Degroof Petercam Foundation

Promising partnership

Anne-Sophie Pype, Managing Director of the Degroof Petercam Foundation, added: “We are delighted to support L'Burn in its mission to help individuals struggling with burnout and to facilitate their social and professional reintegration. L'Burn’s innovative approach and commitment align perfectly with our Foundation’s mission to promote sustainable employment and social inclusion.”

A prestigious award

L'Burn joins the prestigious list of DPF Award winners: Réseau Etre (2024), Rura (ex-Chemins d'avenirs) (2023), Activ'Action (2022), Ticket for Change (2021), Bayes Impact (2020) and DUO for a JOB (2019).