CAFÉ DU MONDE
Make solidarity a reality
This exhibit is a communication tool of a neighbourhood empowerment project meant to mobilise the inhabitants of a socially-deprived neighbourhood.
The revival project includes the creation of a multiservice citizen centre called CAFÉ DU MONDE. The poster was created to inform the local population about the new community-run initiative and to invite them to participate in the activities hosted in the café. The key objective is to break the vicious circle of loneliness and to encourage solidarity and sharing.
At CAFÉ DU MONDE, people can come and meet their neighbours, discover each other and discuss about what matters to them. The project encourages the inhabitants to socialize, make new friends, support others through volunteering activities, be proactive and contribute to the positive dynamic initiated by CAFÉ DU MONDE.
The whole app has been designed to be usable both in formal education formats by educators, but also (and primarily) to be used by interested young people in their free time on their own. It includes various interactive and multimedia elements to be more engaging.
- Challenge Tackled
How to involve the local population in a solidarity community project meant to promote the interests of all. - Target group, beneficiaries or clients
Residents of a working-class neighbourhood
People willing to break the vicious circle of loneliness
People willing to empower themselves and build their future.
People willing to improve their community/neighbourhood/ - Solution
A neutral, non-institutional, friendly and community-run café where all persons of good will can meet for discussions and activities.
The project aims to empower the residents and encourage them to rule for themselves.
CAFE DU MONDE is the place where everything positive can happen.
Regular activities are organised to help people meet, exchange ideas and progress together. Among those, Café du Monde offers a social grocery that offer food baskets to disadvantaged individuals and families; free French conversation workshop; cooking and sewing workshops
The most proactive participants can become activity leaders to reach out to the rest of the community. - Innovation
This type of project is not really innovative, but the spirit and dynamics of the concept is suited for small communities and provides rapid results. - Unique Selling Point
A single-entry, versatile community-based project to tackle the difficulties the local residents face daily. - Impact
CAFÉ DU MONDE provides everyone, including disadvantaged groups with simple ways to dynamise their neighbourhood and contribute to simple direct solidarity projects. - Feasibility/Transferability
The project is feasible because similar projects already exists. The support of local institutions and partnerships is the key to success.
Café du Monde is inspired by the Bordeaux-based NGO Association Familles Laiques active in the district called Bastide.
Visit the association’s website for information on the regular workshops: cookery, sewing, conversation in French and personal finance.