PPG Revitalizes Donat Godin School in France to Mark 10 Years of COLORFUL COMMUNITIES®
PPG has completed a major COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® project at the Donat Godin School in Estreux, France, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of its global community engagement initiative. This flagship project—one of 10 around the world—highlights the transformative power of color and collaboration, demonstrating how corporate responsibility can have a lasting impact on local education and community well-being.
A Decade of Colorful Impact
Launched in 2015, PPG’s COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program has grown into the company’s signature global initiative, dedicated to revitalizing schools, hospitals, parks, and other public spaces in the communities where PPG operates. Since its inception, the program has completed nearly 600 projects across more than 50 countries, impacting the lives of over 10.2 million people. To celebrate its 10-year milestone in 2025, PPG is leading 10 global flagship projects—one of which took place in Estreux, near its Saultain automotive coatings plant.
“This project is part of our global celebration of 10 years of Colorful Communities,” said Maxime Linke, PPG plant manager in Saultain. “With nearly 600 projects completed worldwide—including more than 30 in France since 2015—we’ve helped bring color, vibrancy, and a sense of pride to communities. Our work here in Estreux is a powerful example of that ongoing commitment.”
Transforming a School, Inside and Out
The Donat Godin School serves more than 150 students and staff members and now boasts newly revitalized interiors, murals, playgrounds, and green spaces—thanks to the support of nearly 130 volunteers over three consecutive Saturdays. Volunteers included PPG employees from both the Saultain manufacturing site and the Marly R&D center, members of the school’s parent-teacher association, representatives from Estreux Town Hall, and other local partners.
PPG contributed €133,000 to fund the project, including over 200 liters of SEIGNEURIE® paint—its trusted brand in France. The paints used in the school were chosen for both their performance and environmental credentials:
- Pancrytex TT Bas Carbone Mat – a durable, low-carbon exterior façade paint.
- Pantex Bas Carbone Mat – a low-carbon matte interior paint ideal for schools.
- Elyopur Mat – a wall and ceiling paint with formaldehyde-capturing “Air Purifying” technology, certified with the EU Ecolabel.
The funding also helped acquire new playground equipment, gardening tools, and supplies to plant a small orchard, bringing more natural beauty to the school’s environment.
Art Meets Education: Murals and Meaning
One of the most visually striking elements of the project is a series of large-scale murals by renowned French artist Leona Rose. Her work spans shared indoor spaces such as hallways, the canteen, and recreational areas. Inspired by biodiversity and environmental awareness, the murals feature vibrant depictions of endangered animals including the blue-throated macaw, monarch butterfly, polar bear, and marine iguana. Each painting invites students to reflect on the importance of protecting our planet and its species.
“These murals are more than decorative art—they are windows into the natural world,” said Leona Rose. “My goal was to spark curiosity and joy, and perhaps inspire young minds to think more deeply about conservation and creativity.”
Outdoor Spaces Get a Playful Makeover
Outside, artist SabartDeco led the transformation of the schoolyard, creating imaginative, interactive designs to encourage movement and play. Features include:
- A rocket-themed hopscotch
- An animal-inspired football field
- A painted maze
- Themed activity trails
These elements were designed not only to entertain, but also to promote physical health and imaginative thinking. “We wanted to create a space that children look forward to exploring,” said SabartDeco. “By using colors, shapes, and characters that capture their attention, we’ve turned recess into a more engaging experience.”
A Community Effort, A Lasting Legacy
For the Donat Godin School, the project brought more than just a fresh coat of paint. It represented community spirit, corporate engagement, and shared purpose. “This project means a great deal to us,” said Delphine Mattart, Principal of Donat Godin School. “Students, families, and teaching staff feel incredibly fortunate. With support from PPG and the volunteers, our school has become more inspiring and welcoming. The colors spark creativity and joy, and the new playground equipment gives students space to play, dream, and grow. A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.”
Investing in the Future: Education and Sustainability
PPG has not only committed to extending the Colorful Communities program for another 10 years, but also plans to invest an additional $10 million through 2035—bringing the total investment to $25 million. In recognition of the program’s impact, PPG and the PPG Foundation are also awarding $1 million in celebration grants to 100 former and current Colorful Communities partners around the world in 2025.
Beyond beautification, these projects serve a greater purpose: strengthening education, supporting sustainable practices, and promoting community development.
“Through this initiative, we’re doing more than painting walls,” said Noel Carr, Global Leader for PPG Community Engagement. “We’re helping create environments where students can thrive—places that reflect care, creativity, and respect for the community.”
A Broader Commitment to Community and STEM
In 2024 alone, PPG and the PPG Foundation invested over $18.4 million globally in community engagement efforts, reaching more than 30 countries. Much of this investment is directed toward supporting STEM education, ensuring the development of future innovators in coatings, manufacturing, and other technical fields.
In addition to financial support, PPG actively encourages employee volunteerism. Through programs that recognize and match employee charitable giving and volunteer hours, the company amplifies its impact across local communities.
“Our employees are the heart of our community work,” said Linke. “Their enthusiasm and commitment bring these projects to life. We’re proud to empower them to make a difference—not just as employees, but as neighbors and community members.”
Looking Ahead: More Colorful Communities to Come
As PPG marks 10 years of Colorful Communities, the company looks forward to another decade of impactful engagement. Whether transforming a school in France, a hospital in Brazil, or a community center in India, the goal remains the same: to protect and beautify the spaces that matter most, while empowering the people who use them.
With new projects underway and more planned for the future, PPG continues to lead by example—demonstrating how business and community can work hand-in-hand to build a more colorful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
