--- title: The Grass Is Greener in France description: The Grass Is Greener in France canonical: https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2002-04-22T04:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-22T07:20:21.204Z article:section: World og:title: The Grass Is Greener in France og:description: The Grass Is Greener in France og:url: https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Grass Is Greener in France twitter:description: The Grass Is Greener in France twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [World](/section/world/) # The Grass Is Greener in France > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=4e4a9506-d2ea-4e88-bef5-4855bd367125&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) by [Nicholas Le Quesne](https://time.com/author/nicholas-le-quesne/) Apr 22, 2002 4:00 AM UTC by [Nicholas Le Quesne](https://time.com/author/nicholas-le-quesne/) Apr 22, 2002 4:00 AM UTC Graham Savage is kneeling in damp straw with a newborn lamb in his arms, its fleece still slick with yellow afterbirth. “When you’ve done 500 of these day and night over six weeks, you’re tired, believe me,” he grins. There’s a touch of Dorset in his vowels, as there is in the lush green meadows that roll toward tree-studded hillcrests outside the shed, yet we’re a long way from the English West Country. Just 50 km to the south, Max Cusell is herding his black-and-white Friesians out to pasture through thick mud. The surrounding valley has nothing in common with the flatlands of the Netherlands, but Cusell calls out to his cattle in his native Dutch. Here in the Limousin region, deep in central France, a new European agriculture is taking root. As local French abandon the countryside for the cities, farmers from elsewhere in the E.U. are eagerly filling the places left vacant. Farming and the countryside still occupy a special place in the French psyche. When the annual agriculture trade show was held in Paris in February and March, 600,000 visitors — including no fewer than 11 presidential candidates — flocked to admire the livestock on display. France is still Europe’s leading producer, accounting for 23% of the E.U.’s agricultural output, and farmland still covers 51% of the country, but French farming faces an uncertain future. Between 1988 and 2000, more than a third of the country’s farms disappeared. Today, farmers and their dependents account for just 3.5% of the population, down from 12% in 1970\. The decline has been particularly dramatic in isolated rural regions like Limousin, where the farming community has shrunk by 40% in the past 12 years. Despite its diminished appeal to the French, farming in France has begun to look very attractive to some European neighbors. “Whenever a farm comes onto the market round here, if a French farmer’s not interested it’s immediately snapped up by a Dutchman or an Englishman,” Cusell explains. Because land is cheaper, commodity prices are higher and young farmers are helped by state-funded programs, many non-French figure France offers a better chance at success. The aid programs have existed since the early 1960s and offer lump sum payments plus preferential loans to farmers aged 35 and under. And though their numbers are dwindling, farmers in France still receive the biggest chunk of the E.U.’s 140 billion Common Agricultural Policy budget each year — one reason why presidential candidates Jacques Chirac and Lionel Jospin are both so adamantly opposed to any reform of the ruinously expensive system. For dairy farmers from the Netherlands, where milk production has already hit the ceiling imposed by E.U. quotas, moving to an underpopulated area like Limousin provides an opening denied them at home. For farmers from the U.K., where farm incomes have dropped by 75% over the past decade, it’s a means of escaping the strong pound that makes their exports uncompetitive. “This country has given us a chance to farm in our own right in a way we’d never have been able to in Britain,” says Graham Savage. Today, he and his wife Susan graze 700 sheep on 140 hectares of Limousin pasture and grow sunflower, wheat and barley on 70 hectares of arable land. “I saw an ad in the paper about how France had opened up its young farmer aid program to all E.U. citizens and just thought, ‘Why not?'” he remembers. “The French system gives you much more protection as a tenant, there’s an availability of farmland and if you do want to buy, property prices are so much lower.” Max Cusell’s story is similar to his British neighbor’s. “Starting a farm had been my dream ever since I was a kid, but Holland’s so small that it’s very hard to find the land,” he says. “Coming to France was the only way for me to do it.” Working with his son Elbert, Cusell keeps a 55-strong dairy herd and raises pigs on 80 hectares of leased land. “That’s just not possible in Holland,” he explains. “You have to buy there, and the market’s saturated.” Constraints like that have led at least 14 foreign farmers to settle in Limousin over the past three years. “We’ve always been considered as farmers rather than foreigners, and we’ve never had any problems,” Cusell explains. Nevertheless, France isn’t the promised land for every foreign hopeful. “There are as many failures as there are successes,” says Savage. “Commodity prices have come down, and small farms just aren’t viable anymore. If you haven’t got enough capital, it’s very hard indeed.” The same pressures that are hurting small farmers everywhere — global competition, the rise of large industrial farms and increased specialization — have hit France too. While the country’s farming population has declined, its farms have grown bigger. Nowadays an average holding measures 42 hectares, twice what it was 12 years ago. “The trend is for people to group together,” says Elbert Cusell, 33\. “Grouping together means being able to take a weekend off now and then.” Max and Elbert work their holding as a farming cooperative; over half France’s agricultural land is now managed by corporate entities rather than individuals. Even when the economic hurdles have been jumped, linguistics can still be a barrier for Limousin’s foreign settlers. “If you can’t cope with the language, there’s no way you’re going to integrate,” says Graham Savage. Indeed, the Cusell and Savage households are strikingly multilingual. “My brother and I speak French to each other, but as soon as we come into our parents’ house we start speaking Dutch,” says Elbert, who has lived in France since he was 11\. The Savage children arrived here younger, and so for them their parents’ native English is more remote. “We speak to them in English, and they answer in French,” says Susan Savage. “They tell us they feel more French than English.” Though they’ve lived in France for almost 20 years, that’s not yet true of the elder Savages. “We’re happy being British and European,” says Susan, although she’s unhappy at not being able to vote. “We’ve been here a long time, and we pay our taxes.” It’s the same story up the road at the Cusell residence. “You never entirely adapt,” says Max. Indeed, some Gallic habits remain exotic to the northern Europeans. “In Holland, if you demonstrated too much it would give the farming profession a bad name,” Max continues. “But here in France, every profession defends its interests by taking to the streets. And it seems to work.” He pauses, then adds: “Perhaps people put up with too much in other countries.” Rural France may be becoming more European, but its new inhabitants are becoming a little bit French in the process. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/"},"headline":"The Grass Is Greener in France","datePublished":"2002-04-22T04:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-22T07:20:21.204Z","description":"The Grass Is Greener in France","url":"https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Nicholas Le Quesne","url":"https://time.com/author/nicholas-le-quesne/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/archive/6894262/the-grass-is-greener-in-france/","name":"The Grass Is Greener in France"}}]}] ```