A place to live, work and visit to combat the digital divide

Aurélie CHARBONNIER

Co-founder of l'Attribut

A third place to promote digital inclusion

We were struck by the scale of the digital divide. It affects every region and every population.

A place to live, work and visit to combat the digital divide

Châteauneuf-Val-de-Bargis (Burgundy-France-Comté)

A third place to promote digital inclusion

Aurélie Charbonnier and David Achache launched the L’Attribut association in 2019 in the heart of the Nivernais region. Their project: to promote digital inclusion in this rural area. To achieve this, the co-founders are combining their skills: Aurélie in cultural project management, David in digital and new technologies.
The theme of digital inclusion was obvious to them at the time of the study of the area: ‘we had already been struck by the extent of the digital divide when David was working in Suresnes, in the Paris suburbs. The phenomenon affects all areas and all populations. And when we arrived in Nièvre and started talking to local players, this was a need that emerged very strongly. So we decided to focus our association on this theme.

A range of on-site and off-site services

To refine their project, Aurélie and David joined the T incubator, run by France Active Bourgogne and dedicated to committed entrepreneurs. ‘Our project was already well advanced, but the incubator encouraged synergies thanks to the exchanges we had with the other entrepreneurs. This incubation enabled us to challenge the project, test it and push it a little further. The couple then set up their business in the former presbytery in Châteauneuf-Val-de-Bargis, which they renovated. This is what will become ‘L’Attrium’, the third place open in 2021 to host many of the services designed by L’Attribut: refurbishment of personal computers, workshops for children, adults and seniors, introduction to robotics or drone programming, independent access to the fab lab with 3D machine or digital embroidery machine… At the same time, ‘off-site’ events are organised in schools, leisure centres and through a partnership with the social centre. A few months after its launch, l’Attribut was also awarded the France Services label, which aims to help all citizens with their day-to-day administrative tasks. ‘By helping local residents with their administrative needs that require the use of digital technology, we were able to offer them further support so that they could become more independent. It was an important way of getting to know us and reaching out to our target groups. As a result, our project has been able to expand’, says Aurélie. With this accreditation, Laura, a France Services agent, joins L’Attribut. And when a local association approached L’Attribut with a request for bespoke training in graphic design software, the team set about obtaining Qualiopi certification, authorising it to deliver professional training courses.

A place to live and work in the area

The launch, France Services accreditation and Qualiopi certification required a major investment of time from the teams. To secure working capital during this structuring period, L’Attribut was able to count on the support of France Active. ‘It was a real help in securing our business model. That’s what’s enabling us to consolidate our business today, with the aim of turning it into a genuine third-centre serving users. L’Attrium opens its doors to various local associations, craftspeople, photo and drawing exhibitions, and so on. Today, more than ever, we want to develop a place where people can live, work and play. A place that everyone can make their own and bring to life in their own way,’ concludes Aurélie.