In Haute-Garonne, the difficulties of the Jardins de Cocagne illustrate the fragility of integration buildings | EUROtoday

“Given its difficulties and the importance of the public funds mobilized, the economic model of the Jardins de Cocagne de Haute-Garonne must be revisited. » Wednesday May 15, in a joint press release, the State and the departmental council alerted to the situation of this network located on seven sites in the department, which employs 170 people, including 100 on integration contracts.

The two public entities recalled that they granted respectively 1.5 million and 480,000 euros per yr and, above all, introduced that Europe, by way of the European Social Fund (ESF), would withdraw its subsidy of 800,000 euros requested in 2023 for the 2024 funds. “We learned at the end of 2023 that there would be cuts to certain actions financed by the ESF, but these announcements endanger our employees and our development projects”reacted Laurent Durrieu, director of a Jardin de Cocagne and departmental administrative coordinator.

The Jardins de Cocagne are natural gardens on which individuals with RSA, the unemployed and precarious staff are educated. The manufacturing, typically within the type of baskets, is then resold in an area community, which additionally considerations the meals financial institution. After actions carried out throughout the passage of the Olympic flame, Friday May 17 in Toulouse, in addition to the launch of a petition and a help marketing campaign, discussions have resumed with the departmental council, which assures that it needs to keep up its subsidy, on his “ equity ».

“On the tightrope”

Because the group has regained, since 2021, the administration of European funds (beforehand, it was Europe immediately) and it should launch requires tasks. Out of a complete of 1.2 million euros from the ESF for the division, the request from the Cocagne group alone would symbolize 1.08 million euros, “ which could therefore not be satisfied in its entirety”specifies the press service.

In Haute-Garonne, as all over the place in France, the Cocagne Network relies upon, for 2 thirds of its funds, on public subsidies. A mannequin established since its creation, in 1991. The community right this moment has greater than 100 gardens of the identical title, unfold all through the nation, and greater than 7,300 workers. A bunch of non-profit associations or cooperative corporations, respecting a typical constitution for market gardening by way of integration by way of financial exercise, helps folks removed from employment by coaching them in agricultural and distribution methods. and gross sales. The selection was made to not enter the aggressive financial system, and due to this fact to rely on subsidies.

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