FACE06 has decided to get involved in the municipal elections debate by presenting a series of proposals to improve living and study conditions for young people in the Alpes-Maritimes. It calls on municipalities to fully integrate youth into their local policies.
The Federation of Student Associations and Corporations of the Alpes-Maritimes (FACE06) has unveiled a political contribution as municipal elections approach. It highlights the expectations of a large young population in the region and reminds that municipal choices directly influence the living, study, and civic engagement conditions of nearly 50,000 students and young working professionals. In its advocacy, FACE06 insists on the need to fully integrate youth into local policies, without supporting any candidacy, but rather by seeking to open structured dialogue with public stakeholders.
The contribution highlights a series of issues that shape student life in the Alpes-Maritimes. Housing emerges as a major point of tension. The situation is clear: only “18% of student housing requests are covered by CROUS.” This situation places many young people in lasting precarity. FACE06 proposes the construction of new residences, the conversion of vacant municipal buildings, and stronger regulation of seasonal rentals. The stated objective is to expand accessible supply and reduce rental pressure.
A precise diagnosis of student realities
Student precarity also occupies an important place. The cost of living in the department exacerbates daily difficulties. The growing use of social and solidarity grocery stores, including the “AGORAé” in Nice, illustrates this reality. FACE06 calls on municipalities to support existing schemes and adapt pricing policies for essential services, particularly transportation.
Mobility is another central focus. The distances between study locations, places of residence, and activity centers, combined with high transportation costs, create recurring obstacles. The student organization advocates for the implementation of solidarity pricing, the development of safe nighttime transportation, and the creation of a continuous cycling network connecting campuses and student neighborhoods. The student movement wants mobility to become a tool for autonomy and equity.
Student health is also among the priorities. University health centers are described as undersized in relation to demand. Waiting times and lack of specialized staff, particularly in mental health, are highlighted. FACE06 proposes strengthening teams, creating prevention spaces, and improving coordination with hospital and associative structures. It recalls that health is “a major condition for academic success.”
Higher education and training are also included in the priorities. FACE06 encourages municipalities to support the opening of new programs related to climate, digital, and maritime challenges, as well as the creation of third spaces, laboratories, or collaborative areas. The contribution emphasizes the need to strengthen links between university, businesses, and the territory, while recalling that public service must remain the priority.
Associative life holds a structural place in the contribution. The region has “5,000 associations” and “30,000 volunteers.” FACE06 proposes increased support for student and local associations, access to suitable premises, recognition of volunteer skills, and the creation of exchange spaces between institutional and associative actors.
Access to culture and sport is also part of the demands. The organization seeks accessible offerings in all neighborhoods, extended hours, and simple tools like a youth card providing access to discounts. Support for cultural and sports associations is presented as an essential element for implementing these policies.
Ecological transition is another pillar. FACE06 calls for accelerating energy renovation of public buildings, supporting sustainable mobility, and creating ecological campuses. The text emphasizes the integration of young people in decision-making bodies related to the environment and the implementation of co-constructed projects.
Finally, student democratic participation holds an important place. FACE06 advocates for the creation of municipal student councils and permanent dialogue spaces. The objective is to enable young people to make proposals and be consulted on public policies that concern them. The document stresses that this participation must be genuine, structured, and resourced.
A call for sustained consideration of youth
Through this contribution, the student movement wishes to place youth at the heart of the municipal debate. The advocacy reminds that municipalities have concrete tools to act on housing, mobility, health, culture, associative life, and training. The student organization affirms its desire to work with elected officials and candidates to build sustainable local policies adapted to student realities. The issue is to build a region where every young person can study, find housing, get around, and engage in conditions of dignity.
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