Université Côte d’Azur and Emmaüs Connect launch a joint initiative to promote access to refurbished computer equipment. Twenty students in digital precariousness have just received a complete set of equipment thanks to a unique partnership.
A computer equipment distribution took place in Nice on Thursday, December 4. Twenty students in digital precariousness received a “digital pack” provided by Université Côte d’Azur and Emmaüs Connect. This initiative is part of a joint program undertaken for the first time this year. The distribution aims to address the growing needs of students facing difficulties accessing computer equipment, which has become essential for attending courses, preparing for exams, and completing administrative tasks.
The provided equipment comes from donations from local businesses. The computers have been entrusted to the solidarity reuse sector, LaCollecte.tech. This internal structure within the Emmaüs Connect network handles reconditioning, data wiping, system upgrades, and installation of standard software. The pack includes a refurbished laptop equipped with LibreOffice, an internet browser, and standard tools needed for university use. The announced warranty extends over two years, allowing affected students to use reliable equipment to successfully complete their studies.
The beneficiaries were identified by the university’s social services. Social workers identified students faced with a total lack of equipment, limited access to digital tools, or study conditions compromised by faulty equipment. The distribution addresses this situation, which has been present on campuses for several years.
The partnership has a simple goal: to offer a direct solution to students in difficulty to avoid dropout due to the lack of computer tools. The actors of this initiative emphasize that it aims for “the free provision of equipment to struggling students in order to combat dropout, and to promote their academic success and professional integration.”
An initiative that fits into a broader social policy
Université Côte d’Azur has been conducting actions for several years to reduce student poverty. Various initiatives already exist on campuses. For example, a solidarity wardrobe has been set up in Carlone. Solidarity fridges are deployed in Nice and Cannes to combat food insecurity. The distribution of PCs is in line with this continuity. The approach highlights a desire to broaden the forms of support offered to students, combining material support, food solutions, and digital access.
From the perspective of Emmaüs Connect, this operation illustrates the central role of LaCollecte.tech. This sector, launched in 2022 in the PACA region, processes computer equipment donated by individuals, companies, or public entities. The network reports over 80,000 devices collected since the sector was established and more than 13,500 beneficiaries served within the Digital Hubs or digital solidarity spaces.
The association pursues a clear objective: to combat digital, material, and social exclusion. A significant portion of the accompanied individuals lacks equipment, connectivity, or basic skills. According to provided information, Emmaüs Connect has supported more than 170,000 people since 2013 and trained 16,000 social action professionals. The structure relies on a network of 1,600 volunteers across 18 territories, including six rural departments.
The cooperation established with Université Côte d’Azur constitutes a first step towards an action focused on the student population. The experiment will allow the evaluation of the initiative’s impact on the success and autonomy of the affected students. The volume of donations and identified needs could encourage the continuation or expansion of this initiative.
The handover of the twenty computers marks a starting point. A cooperation is being built around a simple issue: enabling students to follow their studies in better conditions.
