As part of the program that links the Regional Multi-Actor Networks (RRMA) and La Guilde, whose objective is to promote and support the actions of associations carrying out microprojects, the RRMA teams and the La Guilde Microprojects division met on March 21 and 22 in Angers. This meeting, organized by the RRMA Pays de La Loire Coopération Internationale (PDLCI), aimed to exchange on support practices and methods for microprojects.
Throughout these two days, participants were able to discuss the role of support providers, the types of associations present in the regions, and the appropriate support services. The new challenges that associations face when operating internationally, and adapting our support services to these challenges, were also key topics of this community of practice.
To achieve this, various workshops were held over the two days. Participants received a comparative presentation of studies conducted in five regions of France on the local international solidarity association network, and were given an understanding of regional specificities and those of associations according to their size and missions. Role-plays were also conducted so that everyone could reflect on the practices to adopt and tools to use in sometimes complex contexts. Finally, discussions on support pathways, based on the specific needs of associations, took place to provide a more qualitative response to associations requesting support.
This sharing of experience, best practices, and reflections is at the heart of the dynamic partnership between La Guilde, the RRMA, and the CIRRMA (Interregional Conference of RRMA). The objective, through this expanded partnership, is to strengthen synergies between stakeholders involved in the field of international solidarity microprojects across all regions.
The missions of the thirteen RRMAs present across a large part of France overlap with those of La Guilde: to promote, expand, and improve the quality of microprojects implemented by civil society organizations. Our shared missions therefore consist of supporting French international solidarity associations in setting up projects, structuring microprojects, and offering skills development on a range of themes related to international solidarity. One of the challenges today is to ensure that associations carrying out international solidarity microprojects and their partners can benefit in all regions from enhanced support upstream and downstream of grants and have the possibility of accessing funding.
These two days were therefore a key moment for the teams, who were able to meet or meet up, and share their experiences but also their questions and queries around the support of associations carrying out microprojects, but not only.
Looking forward to doing it again…