A humanistic alternative for senior accommodation
Sandra GRENTZINGER
Director of the Marpa de la Doller
Assisted living facility for independent living (Marpa)
Marpa is a shared living residence that combines support for healthy ageing with a friendly atmosphere, enabling residents to maintain their independence while preserving their social connections.
Sentheim (Haut-Rhin)
Assisted living facility for independent living (Marpa)
Welcome to La Marpa de la Doller ! Located in Sentheim, a village of 1,600 inhabitants in the heart of Alsace, this assisted living facility can accommodate up to 25 residents. The average age is 87. All residents have their own private flat (40 m² studio flats for single people and 50 m² one-bedroom flats for couples), with the option of sharing meals and enjoying the communal areas, as well as socialising and taking part in activities. ‘The aim is for everyone to be able to participate in the life of the home,’ explains Sandra Grentzinger. ‘They can give their opinion on the weekly menu or the program of activities, lend a hand with food preparation or setting the table… It’s a real home, where everyone’s abilities are valued and their sense of usefulness is boosted!’
Unlike a nursing home, Marpa does not provide medical care. However, support staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ‘It is therefore a very good alternative form of accommodation that allows residents to maintain their independence and preserve their social ties.’
https://vimeo.com/1136142246
A strong associative tie
The first Marpa were launched in the 1980s by the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA) as part of its action programme against dependency. The idea was to enable elderly people to remain in their villages. Today, there are more than 200 Marpa in France. The one in the Doller Valley opened in 2009.
But after fifteen years in operation, the organisation found itself at a turning point. The Covid crisis, a management vacuum lasting several months, sharply rising costs… Faced with these growing challenges, Sandra Grentzinger decided to join Marpa and became its director. She was already familiar with how the Marpa worked having gained experience at the MSA Alsace group, where she supported the various structures, and in her first position as director at Marpa in Huningue, which she oversaw the opening of in 2017. “After five years, the Marpa in Huningue was up and running. So I wanted to join the one in La Doller, both because I wanted to bring something new to the team and because I was attracted to its 100% associative model. The commitment to serving the elderly is particularly strong there.”
Consolidating the model
Upon her arrival, the new director set herself several objectives: ‘to overhaul protocols and practices, revitalise staff training and, above all, seek budgetary optimisations of equivalent quality in the face of sharply rising costs. We therefore reviewed all of our suppliers.’ During this period of restructuring, Sandra called on France Active. ‘Our economic model is based exclusively on billing residents, who have very little additional budgetary capacity.’ France Active then granted a €30,000 associative contribution contract. “This gave us some breathing room in terms of cash flow. In addition to this, I appreciated the follow-up. These regular exchanges allowed me to look at things from a different angle and refocus my priorities. Our challenge for the coming years is to preserve our human-scale model, which offers residents a real quality of life and support.”
Has benefited
from an investment of
30 000€
Was supported by
France Active Alsace
In 2023
It’s here !
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The circular economy comes to the construction industry
Joanne BOACHON
Director-founder of Mineka
Reusable materials for construction
We have successfully demonstrated the benefits of re-use in construction. Now we need to show that it is a sound economic model.
Lyon, Rhône
Reusable materials for construction
Minéka’s mission is to save construction materials from becoming waste by collecting and redistributing them, giving them a second life. It was a truly innovative project when the association was co-founded in 2016 by Joanne Boachon, a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture. “Specialised in environmental architecture, I wanted to construct buildings that respect the environment. When I saw an exhibition dedicated to re-use, it was a revelation. I decided to explore this path. I quickly realised that there was nowhere to find second-hand materials for the construction industry. This opportunity was therefore waiting to be seized.”
https://vimeo.com/1136142586
Paving the way for an entire re-use ecosystem
After obtaining her project management certification (HMONP), the young woman founded Minéka, combining architecture and circular economy. This ambition is reflected in the name of the organisation: ‘Minkéka comes from “Minka”, the Aboriginal equivalent of the phoenix rising from the ashes…’
First step: to build a network. “To begin with, I met with Anciela, an incubator for initiatives that supports transition projects, as well as a collective of architects who were involved in small-scale re-use. This allowed me to develop my entrepreneurial skills, do a proof of concept, write a business plan, knock on the doors of the first financial partners and supporters… until I was incubated by Alter’Incub.” It was here that the project took shape and Joanne Boachon met the France Active Rhône team, who provided her with financial support and offered her the opportunity to join a DLA (local social and solidarity economy support scheme) to learn about managing an association. “This support was crucial, as it enabled us to get organised and pay our first salaries.”
A change of scale on the horizon
Today, Minéka is well established in its region, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and works closely with other social and solidarity economy stakeholders and local authorities.
The association has 7 employees and three divisions: collection and redistribution, design office (for architects and contracting authorities), awareness-raising and training (to spread the practice). “We have therefore succeeded in demonstrating the value of re-use in construction. Now we need to show that it is a sound economic model. That’s why we are moving on to the next stage of our development with the aim of scaling up.” This will involve, in particular, a change of legal status. “We therefore plan to become a Scic (cooperative society of collective interest), which will enable us to involve our employees, partners and investors more closely in governance.” France Active Rhône will once again be at its side during this phase of maturity.
Viewpoint of France Active’s advisor
Estelle Rabiller, responsible for financing and supporting committed entrepreneurs
“Minéka provides an innovative and structured response to a significant environmental issue, while promoting solidarity and creating sustainable jobs. It was obvious that France Active Rhône would support the project.
Minéka’s main asset? Definitely Joanne Boachon. Her background and skills, her ability to listen, and her capacity to build a network of constructive partners at the regional and national level are the foundation of the success of this committed project.”
She has benefited
Several solidarity-based investment amounting to
€40 000
Several guarantees totalling
€45 000
A DLA
support programme
She has been supported by
France Active Rhône
Since 2018
It’s here !
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Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum GSEF Bordeaux 2025
The Global Forum for Social and Solidarity Economy (GSEF) gathers together local governments and civil society from all over the world to make the SSE a driving force for inclusive development. After Seoul, Montreal and Dakar, the Forum will take place at the end of October in Bordeaux.
The GSEF (Global Forum for Social and Solidarity Economy) is an international organisation bringing together local governments and civil society networks to promote the social and solidarity economy (SSE) as a lever for local, inclusive and sustainable development. The network has 84 members coming from 37 countries and gathers local governments, territorial networks and civil society representatives.
Every two years, the GSEF organises a Global Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy, one of the largest international gatherings in the sector. This year, the latest edition will bring together 4,000 participants from five continents, who will meet in Bordeaux, France, at the end of October 2025.
A space of exchange and commitment
The Global SSE Forum has two objectives:
- To bring together leaders and stakeholders from around the world – elected members, experts, representatives of development agencies, networks and grassroots actors – to jointly devise more humane and sustainable economic models.
A final declaration will translate these discussions into political commitments and a roadmap for the next two years.
- To encourage the sharing of experiences and ideas from all continents. Designed in collaboration with the Scientific Committee and enriched by numerous contributions, the programme will highlight inspiring initiatives in the social and solidarity economy, through formats that encourage dialogue and diversity of views.
In this context, France Active, the leading funder of SSE in France, will be present with a delegation and will speak:
On 30 October from 11h30 to 12h30, during a round table organised in partnership with Caisse d’Epargne entitled: “Joint financing: a catalyst for cooperation and regional impact”.
Panelists:
- Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou Charente
- European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA)
- France Active Nouvelle Aquitaine
- Carrefour Insertion Développement Initiatives Locales (CIDIL): an association promoting integration in rural areas, funded by France Active.
A conference moderated by Marie Leclerc-Bruant, Head of SSE at Caisse d’Epargne.
On 30 October from 16h30 to 18h00, FEBEA, of which France Active is a member of the Board of Directors, will represent European ethical finance at the plenary session on SSE financing entitled: “What are the challenges involved in consolidating SSE financing stakeholders?”
Panelists:
- Grameen Foundation – Crédit Agricole, microfinance credit, France
- SVSFund, Korea
- Aéma Group, France
- FEBEA
This plenary session will be moderated by Mr Dominique Lesaffre, Member of the GSEF Advisory Committee.
On 31 October from 10h15 to 11h15, during a round table discussion entitled “Citizen participation and territorial revitalization: towards the co-construction of public policies” with the participation of Margot Aubaret, project manager Fabrique à Initiatives at France Active Nouvelle Aquitaine.
For more information on the GSEF
and the Global SSE Forum
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A social and circular enterprise created within a detention workshop
Jacques GRIMONT
Founder of Yoti
Toy refurbishment
Thanks to France Active, we have benefitted from a unique support to develop and structure our whole activity. Their expertise, their advice and their fundings are an undeniable advantage to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.
Houilles, Yvelines
Toy refurbishment
In Houilles, in the Yvelines’ region, Yoti refurbishes toys, games and book with a unique aim: to reduce waste production while facilitating the professional reintegration of detained people. Founded in 2021 by Jacques Grimont and Vincent Corrèges, this enterprise belonging to the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), transforms prisons into workshops of refurbishment to give a second life to toys.
Refurbished toys, rebuilt lives
The first Yoti workshop opened in October 2021 at the Maison d’Arrêt in Bois d’Arcy, in a space covering more than 1,000 m². Since then, around 50 prisoners have been trained, thanks to a unique information system that tracks and secures all flows: cleaning, completeness checks, quality control, writing advertisements, etc. The result? Thousands of refurbished games!
The model has been thought out down to the smallest detail, including the industrialisation of a tailor-made process. The toys are then sold at reduced prices on their website Yoti-Shop.fr, via marketplaces (Label Emmaus), but also to local authorities under the AGEC law (games 100% coming from reuse), thanks to an offer tailored to public procurement.
A development supported by France Active and the Banque des Territoires
Building on this initial success, Yoti is thinking bigger! A second workshop opened in Le Havre at the end of 2024. By 2026, new workshops will open in the following prisons: Paris La Santé, Fleury-Mérogis, Écrouves, Orléans and Strasbourg. Ultimately, the company aims to process 10,000 tonnes of toys and support 3,000 prisoners by 2030.
To support this growth, Yoti has been able to count on strong financial backing: €720 000 provided by France Active and the Banque des Territoires, including a subordinated loan of €360 000. This funding will enable the company to consolidate a multidisciplinary team, build new workshops and meet its cash flow needs between subsidy payments.
A response to two major challenges
In France, nearly 100 000 tonnes of toys are thrown away every year. Yoti is committed to protecting the environment by combating this waste production and promoting a more circular and inclusive economy: ‘Working to reintegrate prisoners also means fighting recidivism and giving them back their place in society,’ emphasises the team.
The company now works with eco-organisations to collect used toys (Ecomaison) and continues to strengthen its social and environmental impact. Thanks to a hybrid model combining a registered association and a social enterprise, Yoti has succeeded in creating a unique model of production, support and transformation.
The perspective of France Active’s officer:
Diahara Toure, project officer at France Active Yvelines
“I met the founders in 2021, when Yoti was launched. Since the beginning, I saw it as an ambitious, well-constructed and useful project. With Jacques and Vincent, everything moved quickly: they had a clear vision and, above all, the desire to make an impact. What struck me was their ability to structure their development, to anticipate needs and always keep the purpose of the project in mind. Today, Yoti is becoming a real solution for combining reintegration and circular economy. I am quite proud to have supported this project at several stages: at its creation, but also during its initial development in 2022 and more recently during its scaling up alongside our partner La Banque des Territoires.”
Has benefited
from guarantees of
215 000€
from investments of
420 000€
Was supported by
France Active Yvelines
In 2021
In 2022
In 2023
It’s here !
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La Venelle: the temple of the re-use opens its doors in Montreuil
On the 3rd of September, 1,800 m² of shops opened their doors in Montreuil. This project brings together 9 associations willing to promote responsible consumption while offering people excluded from the job market an opportunity to reintegrate it. It is a fine example of cooperation around the re-use sector within the Social and Solidarity Economy, to which France Active is fully committed.
Site internet
On the 3rd of September 2025, 1,800 m² dedicated to re-use opened their doors. 9 shops will offer passers-by the opportunity to consume responsibly while enabling people who are excluded from the job market to return to work. It is not just about sales, as there are also co-repair workshops offered by La Recyclerie Sportive, sewing workshops offered by La Collecterie, and a café-canteen where you can have lunch.
Come to discover the structures present at La Venelle (six of which have benefited from the advisory support and funding of France Active) at 198 Rue Robespierre in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis).Atelier R-ARE creates solid wood objects and furniture from materials recovered during the demolition of buildings. This association, legally recognized as an “atelier chantier d’insertion” , designs and manufactures unique pieces and layouts, making use of wood escaped from landfill. The other materials recovered during demolition are carefully sent to partners specialized in recycling.Emmaüs Coup de Main promotes access to sustainable employment by offering employees personalised social support and a suitable professional environment within its reintegration path. Teams of employees in the reintegration process, supervised by permanent staff, manage daily the 7 “ressourceries” and 3 logistics centres located in eastern Paris. At the same time, the association is developing a specific programme, designed to support families facing precarious situations, aiming to foster reintegration through housing.Emmaüs Défi is an atelier chantier d’insertion whose mission is to support people in extremely precarious situations to find a job, housing and access to healthcare, so that they can find their place in society. In its shop, this organisation proposes second-hand clothing and accessories.Envie sells reconditioned household appliances at reduced prices, takes back old appliances and runs introductory workshops on repairing and on best practices to use and maintain the devices. The equipment is collected and repaired locally in the Île-de-France region, thus promoting short supply chains. The goal is to sell 2,500 appliances per year, which would avoid 125 tonnes of waste.La Collecterie is a Montreuil-based ressourcerie created in 2012 that collects, sorts, repairs and transforms items that would be thrown otherwise to give them a second life. These objects are reintroduced into the cycle of solidarity-based and ethical consumption, while providing people in professional reintegration programmes a chance to work.
A look back at our reportage at La Collecterie:
https://vimeo.com/1121576745La Ressourcerie Du Spectacle was created in 2014 by entertainment professionals. The project comes out from a clear finding: in the entertainment industry, the equipment is frequently replaced and rarely re-used while others struggle to have access to it. In La Venelle, it offers audio-visual materials, sound, lighting, stage equipment and scenographic elements waiting for a new lease of life, as well as a self-repair area equipped with a toolbox.La Recyclerie Sportive is the first organisation dedicated to restoring and reselling sport equipment and materials. It collects items from individuals and professionals that are resold after repairing or transforming them.Neptune is an actor of the solidarity-based re-use sector located in Montreuil since 1994, working on the professional reintegration of more than 90 employees within its local ressourceries. The association collects, recycles and sells a wide variety of second-hand items, while also running workshops to raise awareness on more responsible consumption. True to its social commitment, Neptune will be opening a solidarity thrift shop at La Venelle.Le REFER, the Île-de-France region’s Re-use Network, brings together social re-use organisations, including ressourceries, recycled goods shops and specialized workshops. Based on a mutualist approach, it supports the growth of initiatives focused on mutual aid, sharing and cooperation to respond to contemporary social and environmental challenges. Advocating for a non-profit and non-competitive vision of re-use, the network now brings together nearly 70 member organisations committed to waste reduction and local solidarity.
You can also enjoy a delicious lunch at Parelle, the cafeteria run by La Collecterie.
France Active supports the circular economy and the post-first-life sector
France Active’s objective is to structure solidarity-based sectors, from collection and sorting to re-use, in order to increase the volumes of materials and objects processed. This approach also aims to preserve the value created for the benefit of local areas by supporting the local economy and the development of local employment.
To achieve this, France Active supports industrial business models that do not create waste, activities that promote repair and re-use, and solutions for waste recycling.
France Active invests to support the growth of organisations in this sector by financing the development of their volumes, their cooperation and their integration into the value chain. At the same time, it facilitates their access to the market and to a wider customer base, thereby contributing to a more inclusive, local and sustainable economy.
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Comics to strengthen social ties in the heart of St Etienne
Félicien RISS
Creator of the bookshop Les intrus
Bookshop
The bank guarantee and the Accès + programme were essential to the launch of the bookshop. Claire Cadiou from France Active Loire provided me with extremely rigorous support, enabling me to fine-tune my project down to the last detail.
Saint-Etienne
Bookshop
With his ‘Les Intrus’ bookshop specialising in comics, Félicien Riss is strengthening social ties in the centre of Saint-Etienne. He was able to launch his project with the help of Claire Cadiou from France Active Loire. Now well established, he is continuing to develop his business and build customer loyalty, while playing an active role in the cultural life of Saint-Etienne.
Félicien Riss, can you tell us about your project with Les Intrus bookshop ?
‘Les Intrus’ is a bookshop specialising in comics, graphic novels and independent publishers, with a small children’s and manga section. It stands out for its selection of books on current themes such as feminism, mental health and gender issues. It’s a committed bookshop, both artistically and in terms of social issues. The project was born out of a lifelong passion for comics and a desire to offer a unique venue in Saint-Étienne, a town I found very welcoming and dynamic in terms of culture and associations.
Why did you turn to France Active? And what do you remember about this support?
It was my advisor at the ‘Fabrique à Entreprendre’ who told me about France Active and its financing and support solutions. The bank guarantee and the Accès + programme were essential to the launch of the bookshop. Claire Cadiou from France Active Loire provided me with extremely rigorous support, enabling me to fine-tune my project down to the last detail. Going through the France Active impact committee gave me a lot of strength and legitimacy, because I was able to see experts around the table who believed in my project.
What are your plans for the coming years?
I’d like to develop the bookshop’s events and meetings section even further. I’m already organising small concerts and exhibitions of original comic strips during book signings. These events are a great way of getting people out and about in the neighbourhood. I’m also going to be taking part in the ‘Fête du Livre’, which will give the bookshop a lot of exposure. At the same time, I want to continue to build customer loyalty and offer new titles. My ambition is to make “Les Intrus” bookshop a place where people can meet and share in the cultural life of Saint-Etienne.
Benefited from the creation offer
With a guarantee of
40 000€
a ground of
3 000€
Supported by
France Active Loire
In 2023
It’s here !
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When citizens give meaning to their savings
How savers position themselves
A major contribution to France Active’s investment activity, solidarity-based savings could be further developed as part of our fellow citizens’ investment solutions. What vision do the French have of savings? What purpose do they want it to serve ?
France Active has gone out to meet them and given them the chance to have their say. According to the latest France Active Fair barometer, one French person in five (20%) would like to see solidarity-based savings, combining financial profitability where possible with a contribution to general interest projects, a figure that rises to 30% among 25-34 year-old.
Take a look at what savers have to say on video.
What role would you like your savings to play?
‘People’s mindsets are changing, and there’s a growing desire to see savings as something meaningful’ expresses a saver in this video.
https://vimeo.com/1106419751
Do you think your savings can have an impact close to home?
‘Savings can have an effect on my area, it can benefit local businesses or associations […] our savings can have an effect on a local scale’, says another saver.
https://vimeo.com/1106419785
People want to save so that social and ecological projects can be developed close to home or anywhere in France to serve the local community and the common good. To find out more, visit the website of our partner Fair.
Despite these positive testimonies about solidarity savings, the 2024 barometer ‘The French and solidarity savings’ carried out by Opinionway for France Active and Fair in October 2024 shows that almost 70% of French people say they are poorly informed about this type of savings, whether in terms of how it works, its aims, the products on offer or the players who manage it.
With France Active, a different kind of savings is possible
Thanks to solidarity-based savings, citizens can use their money to finance projects with a strong social and ecological impact as close to home as possible, which really meet the needs of their area.
Where can I invest my money in solidarity savings products?
- Via your bank or insurance company, by choosing solidarity savings products. Simply contact your banker/insurer for more information.
- Via your company, by directing your employee savings towards solidarity funds. You can find more information on the Fair website.
And what about France Active?
Once your savings have been entrusted to an investment institution (not on a short-term basis here), they are invested in a ‘90/10’ fund.
90% of funds are channelled into the financial markets (Socially Responsible Investment)
5 to 10% of savings are channelled into socially responsible investment companies such as France Active.
Ajoutez votre titre ici
Solidarity savings allow your money to grow while helping to tackle the challenges facing our society: ecological transition, employment, social innovation and regional development, etc.
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Contributing to local dynamism by offering a new range of tourist attractions
Raphaëlle RAMEY
Founder of Trip Tribu
Converted vans rental for nature breaks
Don’t underestimate the value of a good network. With support and advice, anything is possible.
Vieu-d’Izenave (Ain)
Converted vans rental
A unique travel concept in the Ain region
Ready for an adventure? Trip Tribu offers you the chance to get behind the wheel of a converted van and discover, for example, the natural park of Haut Jura, the highest point in the Bugey region (the Grand Colombier) or Lake Genin in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region. Raphaëlle Ramey, the company’s founder, offers fully-equipped 5-seater vans (sleeping 4) for hire, so you can enjoy the great outdoors on your own.
Everything on board is included to make life easier for travellers: insurance, bed linen, end-of-stay cleaning and much more! Customers can choose additional options, such as bike racks, electric bikes, and even road books suggesting routes and must-see sites in the region.
Why Trip Tribu?
Raphaelle imagined Trip Tribu to offer holidaymakers a tailor-made experience, where every detail is thought out to meet the specific needs of each traveller. “We want our customers to experience a hassle-free adventure in the heart of nature, with the comfort of a hotel but the freedom of a road trip. I attach great importance to having them on line to draw up a quote that matches their expectations. Every trip is different, and we make it a point of honour to tailor our services to our customers’ needs”.
A successful launch
After working in communications and gaining experience in commerce, Raphaëlle embarked on this family adventure at the beginning of 2024. With the support of France Active, which enabled her to obtain a bank guarantee and a loan, she was able to finance her first vehicles and start her business with peace of mind. “The guarantee had two major benefits: it meant I didn’t need a personal guarantee, which would have put me at greater risk, and it reassured the bank, which, with the backing of France Active, was confident about my project. My adviser worked with me to put all the tools in place so that I could manage the financial side of my business as well as possible. I’ve also had the support of people close to me who have experience of entrepreneurship.
Tailor-made support with France Active
“Thanks to the workshops and training offered by France Active and the Fabrique des Possibles, Raphaëlle has been able to refine her entrepreneurial approach and benefit from invaluable tools in financial management and marketing. She fits perfectly with the profile of people who have more difficulty accessing bank credit: a young woman, an entrepreneur in a rural area… that’s one of the reasons why France Active was at her side when she set up her business,” explains Franklin Witham, the France Active Ain adviser who supported her.
She shares her story with enthusiasm and encourages other entrepreneurs to take the plunge: “Don’t underestimate the value of a good network. With support and advice, anything is possible,” she says.
A local service with a human touch
Trip Tribu attracts local customers, as well as travellers from other regions or abroad, looking for an immersive and comfortable experience. Whether customers book via the website or contact Raphaëlle by phone, every booking is a moment of sharing. “We don’t want to lose the human touch. I take the time to understand each customer’s expectations to optimise their stay.”
The values of a caring company
As well as offering an environmentally-friendly tourism option, Trip Tribu contributes to the local economy. Raphaëlle has taken on an employee to maintain the vehicles, creating a job in the region. In addition, she is committed to facilitating tourism in the Ain, a region of varied landscapes and natural riches, from its mountains to its lakes.
Today, Trip Tribu continues to grow and plans to extend its range with other leisure vehicles. The future is bright, and Raphaëlle is ready to take on new challenges to make Trip Tribu a benchmark for tourism in her region.
Has benefited from the Creation Offer
from a guarantee of
€50,000
Was supported by
France Active Ain
In 2024
It’s here !
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A table of solidarity, open to all
Camille ROSA
Head chef at Miam Collectif
Solidarity-based bar and canteen
Our project is to rebuild social links in the heart of a “peripheral” town that is experiencing commercial desertification, impoverishment and a high level of social and cultural insecurity.
Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Solidarity-based bar and canteen
On the edge of the Saint-Mathieu district in downtown Perpignan, if you open the doors of Miam Collectif, you’ll find yourself in a very special kind of restaurant. It’s a solidarity-based bar and canteen, “in other words, open to all, with an annual membership of 5 euros and free prices”, explains co-founder Camille Rosa. https://vimeo.com/1092746332
A place for encounters and opportunities
The project came into being in 2018, set up by a group of five people “sharing this same desire to create places for encounters, places for opportunities”, says Camille Rosa.
The collective therefore began by organizing culinary, cultural and solidarity events, before moving into its first rented premises in the center of Perpignan. “It’s not by chance that we’ve put down roots here. It’s at the origin of our project to createsocial bonds in the heart of a ‘peripheralized’ city that’s experiencing commercial desertification and great economic insecurity.”
This first solidarity-based canteen is being launched at a very special time: early 2020, at the very start of the Covid crisis. “As an association, we were able to remain open despite the pandemic. This gave full meaning to our inclusive project, where we set up solidarity meals for people in difficulty. At the same time, it intensified the dynamic of our collective, which is still going strong today. For both employees and volunteers, it made us want to get involved even more.
A place open to the neighbourhood
In September 2023, Miam Collectif began a new chapter, moving to another location close to the first. “We wanted to become owners of our premises. It was a very important lever to anchor us more firmly in the area and strenghten our project.”
As a result, the team opened a café in addition to the solidarity-based canteen, and launched various free activities for local residents (culinary workshops, production of a gazette, organization of a feminist festival, creation of a play by the Théâtre de l’Opprimé…). And always with two watchwords in mind: solidarity and inclusiveness. Meals are freely priced, with a minimum contribution of 2 euros for the most disadvantaged, a recommanded price estimated at 12 euros, and a support price of 15 euros or more. “Everyone has the choice of positioning themselves according to their current situation. Today, out of our 2,500 members, a third of meals are priced at 2 euros and 50 to 60% at less than 12 euros. This illustrates the financial difficulties we face. And we can also count on local companies and associations who come to eat with us and can pay a little more.
To maintain this balance of solidarity, Miam Collectif collects fruit and vegetables ready to be thrown away from partner wholesalers, organic stores and local producers. The association also receives financial support from the region, the local authority and various national funds (for association development, for national cohesion and for family benefits),
A driving force in local community life
Along the way, Miam Collectif met with France Active back in 2018. ” We found a lot of help and advice in drawing up our business plan. They were also very supportive in all the steps involved in acquiring the premises. When you’re an association, the confidence that investors give you is key. France Active was there to give us that confidence and to convince the other financiers. It wasn’t easy, but they were on our side”, Camille Rosa recalls.
Today, the Miam Collectif is going from strength to strength. And what about the future? “Among other things, we’re looking into the possibility of obtaining the “social living space” accreditation from the family benefits fund (CAF) to secure our funding. This would enable us to step up our activities and welcome other associations or groups to our space, thereby driving a real local solidarity dynamic”, concludes Camille Rosa.
Benefited from the development offer
With a guarantee of
18 000€
a grant of
5 000€
an investment of
20 000€
Support by
France Active Airdie-Occitanie
In 2021
It’s here !
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