26 Jul Presentation of the new resources of the TEDDA project in Lille

On June 15th 2023, the Apes organized a public event with the main objective of highlighting the TEDDA project. The discussion day, open to actors in the social economy, took place at the Lille Métropole Museum of Modern Art (LaM) and about 80 people attended. 

The director of the Maison des Associations de Tourcoing participated in the event to illustrate the partnership and the actions carried out. This also showcased the process through which associations question and reduce the environmental impacts of their activities.

The tools already developed as part of the TEDDA project were presented, disseminated, and explained:

• The gallery of inspiring portraits
• The freize of the energy transition and the carbon footprint game (only in French and Spanish)
• The methodological guide to initiate the ecological transition

Subsequently, Apes facilitated a workshop to share practices, based on the TEDDA methodological guide:

“What are the priorities in making the ecological transition and improving environmental practices? Where should you start? What can we do? “

Objectives of the exchange of practices workshop

To understand how and on what to act in order to reduce environmental impacts, in line with the values of actors in the social and solidarity economy. Participants Several questions were asked such as:

         –How to proceed?

         –How do I get involved?

         –How do I find specific examples?

         –How do I lead my organization through change?

         –How do I move from wanting to do something?

To identify available resources in the region to take action and seek support if needed.

The various tools developed within the TEDDA project were presented, with particular focus on the “methodological guide to improve internal practices of associations.” This guide targets employees, volunteers, users, members, etc., to work as a team, as a collective, and to engage the association in an ecological transformation. It aims to inspire action among those involved in the associations.

It provides:

• A methodology to question practices from various perspectives (purchasing, waste, mobility, building, digital, etc.),
• Information on ecological impacts of actions carried out, and offering resources for those interested in further exploration.
• Tool sheets to support initiatives and launch ambitious projects
• Examples of associations from various European countries, demonstrating that progress is possible even for small organisations with limited resources.

Workshop Summary:

During the workshop, the collective identified actions available to the actors based on specific themes (mobility, waste, building, energy, purchasing, digital):

Reducing environmental impacts in social and solidarity economy organisations requires financial resources. Responsible purchasing can be more costly, investments in buildings may be necessary, and the time invested in the process also has associated costs.

However, an association can make progress without significant resources by relying on the political will of administrators and by initiating first symbolic actions.

For ambitious projects, organisations can seek dedicated funding. The importance of adopting a continuous improvement approach and maintaining momentum over time was discussed.

The method is crucial: conducting a diagnostic of current practices, observing and becoming aware of these practices, and advancing incrementally.

Starting with a carbon footprint assessment can be beneficial, although it requires time and often external support. Major emission sources can be quickly identified.

Specific themes were discussed during the workshop, including mobility, waste management, building, purchasing, digital, and energy. Social and solidarity economy organizations seeking to reduce their environmental impacts should prioritize:

• Mobility, focusing on commuting to and from work, while remaining vigilant to the quality of life at work and the organisational logics specific to each association.

• Purchasing, which can represent a significant emission source, especially when combined with digital equipment. Working on purchasing practices often involves questioning usage, changing the approach to buying (relying more on second-hand items), and transforming production methods to align with sustainability goals. This is an opportunity to modify behaviours and beliefs. Associated with the purchasing process, waste should be seen as a resource to be avoided whenever possible.
• Energy: Several steps should be considered, including energy efficiency and digitalization. Improvements might require some investments to enhance efficiency, but small associations are often not property owners, so their main focus should be on reducing consumption.

The TEDDA project’s methodological guide offers abundant resources, work paths, and accessible examples for all.

Event Assessment through feedback from participants:

After the event, a grid analysis was conducted with five subgroups of 5 to 8 people. Participants provided keywords to describe their experiences:

• Participant impressions: Discovery, liveliness, rich discussions, letting go, curiosity, cooperative dynamics, desire to bring meaning, alignment of goals, shared difficulties leading to courage, richness for the future.
• Key takeaways from the day: Networking among actors, tools, discussions, discoveries, connections, testimonies, getting to know each other, ecosystem development, ideas for collaboration, ways to improve practices, new ideas.
• Topics for further exploration: Methods for progress, the relationship with time, moving from shock to action, meeting inspiring actors, supporting transitions, constant justification of impacts, involving elected representatives in projects, being close to the needs of the territory, engaging users, considering the economic model.