“Association is the free act by which men [et des femmes] come together to pursue a common goal. » When Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau uttered these words on June 22, 1900 before the Chamber of Deputies, he undoubtedly did not imagine the scale that the associative world in France would take on, 125 years later.
Since 1901, France has developed a unique model in the world: a society in which millions of people organize themselves freely, without seeking profit, to accomplish missions of general interest complementary to those carried out by the State. This model has withstood two world wars, economic crises, the rise of individualism, and the digital revolution.
One of the most valuable forms of democracy
It is also thanks to this associative framework that popular sport has developed, that initiatives have been launched promoting education for all, care for the most vulnerable at home and elsewhere in the world and the protection of our ecosystems. Associations have thus often preceded the law, invented new public policies, experimented where institutions hesitated, and advanced our model of society.
Associations are present in all territories and at all times of life. They open us to the world, support us, connect us. They belong to each of us, bring solidarity to life and are essential to the social cohesion of our country.
This is the meaning of the “France that (se) fights” campaign initiated by several major players in the foundations and associations sector, united around the same conviction: the power of citizens to organize freely remains one of the most precious forms of democracy. And a society that does not promote engagement and civic life becomes poorer. This capacity needs to be seen, named, supported, by the whole of society, by each and every one of us.
Joining this movement means choosing to see. To see the sports or cultural association that holds a neighborhood together. To see on a daily basis the commitment of these volunteers to people in need, the sick, people with disabilities. To welcome the support of a foundation for a project in which no one else wants to venture.
It is these initiatives, France which (is) fighting. Not a metaphor or a theoretical idea. A very concrete, daily, silent, essential reality.
A real treasure
Our country today has 1.6 million active associations, which bring together nearly 13 million volunteers and employ 1.8 million people, more than the transport or construction sectors.
And the importance of their action is recognized and praised by a large majority of French people: 76% of French people believe that association leaders contribute to bringing the country together. One in two French people participate in the associative world, as a volunteer, donor or member/participant. In a country where distrust of institutions continues to worsen, this trust represents a real treasure.
However, this living fabric is going through a deep crisis. Firstly, on a financial level: 31% of employer associations currently have cash flow of less than three months, and 60% have no budgetary visibility beyond one year. A fragility that the continued fall in public subsidies aggravates: their share of the associations’ resources fell by 41% between 2005 and 2020.
The fragility of a single model
The commitment itself is transformed. While the rate of associative volunteering is falling among those over 65, it is exploding among young people: it has increased by 44% in 15 years among 15-34 year olds. Good news? Definitely! And it is also a complementary challenge to take up for associations, which must reinvent their models and adapt their functioning to the forms of engagement of new generations.
Faced with these challenges, this unique model remains fragile, like all living beings. Not because the desire to act is lacking, but because recognition does not follow. We celebrate associations on disaster evenings. They are asked to help the population on crisis mornings. And we forget, between the two, to give them the means to act.
The world of associations and foundations is aware of its role and responsibilities in preserving our model of society. Support from public authorities for these actors essential to social cohesion must become a lasting priority. As the 2027 elections approach, who will be able to take into account the role played by these actors? Who will be able to carry out a real project for the sector?
125 years after Waldeck-Rousseau, the 1901 law does not need to be reformed. She needs to be honored. By political acts. Through the commitment of each and every one of us.
The collective behind the platform
Philippe Pailliart, president of France Générosity; Mickaël Huet, general delegate of the Associative Movement; Axelle Davezac, general director of the Fondation de France; Isabelle Giordano, general delegate of the BNP Paribas Foundation; Benoît Mounier, general director of the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation; Claire Dognin, general delegate of the Caritas France Foundation; Elsa Bouneau, director of the Little Brothers of the Poor Foundation; Christophe Salmon, general delegate of Fondation Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale; Manuelle Pinto, General Delegate of Elisfa; David Cluzeau, Hexopée general delegate; Daniel Goldberg, president of the National Interfederal Union of private non-profit health and social works and organizations (Uniopss); Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF); Olivier Bruyeron, president of Coordination Sud; Jean-Baptiste Clérico, co-president of the Committee for national and international relations of youth and popular education associations (Cnajep); Jean-François Julliard, general delegate of the France nature environment (FNE) movement; Marie-Claire Martel, president of the Coordination of federations and associations of culture and communication (Cofac).
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