Facilities, services, and even training courses, that’s what the Association Spaces in the city of Nice offer. Located respectively in central Nice and Garibaldi, these two sites provide a complete range of services in the field of associations.
Whether you need a place to meet, a registered address to receive mail, or seek legal and accounting advice for the proper functioning of your association, these offices are there to meet all these needs. From the photocopier to the fax machine, and including internet access and useful contacts, the city council has thought of everything.
In total, twenty employees work within this complex, which covers an area of 2000m². Its predecessor was the House of Associations, a 200m² office managed by three to five officials. Inspired by this House of Associations and in response to an increasing demand, the City of Nice wanted to offer facilities that match the scale of local associative life through these Association Spaces and to provide a breath of fresh air for Nice residents who wish to engage in this sector.
Seeing the lack of space, Mayor Jacques Peyrat decided to create the Association Spaces. Officially inaugurated in January 2003, this municipal service is a breath of fresh air for Nice residents who wish to get involved in this sector.
Sometimes trained on the job, the main task of the responsible employees is to guide associations in their creation and then in their development — a sort of logistic support! This is a significant help, as creating an association requires compliance with certain formalities. Being at least two people, the president and the treasurer, establishing statutes, and declaring them at the prefecture are part of these.
Real links between the city hall services, the associations, and the people of Nice, these agents must juggle professionalism and sensitivity. Because in advising, they face passionate individuals.
In the corridors of the Association Spaces, enthusiasm and emotion are palpable. What could be more touching than a club for the disabled led by a man who is himself disabled? More than just a reception, information, and support zone, the Association Spaces are seen by the staff as a true school of life.
This services hub has its cost: 40 euros for an annual membership. For non-member clubs that only need a space occasionally, the rate is three euros per hour. However, trainings are free.
In Progress
This creation has been a success. Currently, the number of registrants is 300. Even more impressive is the number of people who rent a space from time to time, who attend meetings — on average, they are nearly 29,000 per year. And the numbers are increasing!
This structure is not about to stop its successful progress. On the contrary! With the multitude of associative groups present in Nice — around 10,000 — its future looks promising. As proof, from a reliable source, a project is under study: the City of Nice plans to open subsidiary Association Spaces in certain districts, possibly in Pasteur. The goal is to make the location more accessible for the residents.
This initiative appears as a solution to better address the needs of associations. Then a problem arises: Where to find the space? The time has come for reflection.
Visit the website of the [Association Spaces](https://www.niceasso.net/).
