DShould we finance community life? The question arises when we know that the share of subsidies in the financing of associations fell by 41% between 2005 and 2017, according to the Economic and Social Council and environmental (CESE), and continues to decline. Some even believe that they should be eliminated in favor of market revenues and other contributions. This is a very bad calculation, not only for the overworked and already struggling associations, but also for the economy as a whole. For at least three reasons.
Firstly, working time only accounts for 9% of an employee’s life cycle (i.e. 1,600 hours x 40 years = 64,000 hours, compared to a life expectancy of 83 years, or 8,766 hours x 83 = 727,578 hours) full-time, never absent or in training during their career. This time freed from work has intensified relationships in society by increasing exchanges of services.
In other words, a portion of household economic resources is produced outside of work. Through all kinds of contributions, multiplied by the networks, which added to the social and solidarity economy and the domestic economy significantly exceed the gross domestic product (GDP).
Better still, the skills, knowledge and experiences derived from it are often reinvested in professional life. So much so that the company is now more interested in the expected result of the employee than in the work process itself. Many companies have thus reduced their costs, limited office space, reduced overheads, desynchronized and increased the flexibility of work, particularly with teleworking. The more non-work space increases, becomes organized and becomes more complex with digital technology, the more the company relies on this social capital for its own performance.
Complementarity with businesses
Then, in this transformation of life times, declared associations play a decisive role in complementarity with businesses. The ongoing and regular commitment of employees in one of the 1.3 million associations, according to INSEEis not only particularly appreciated by companies, but is increasingly used for their brand image.
Today, almost all major retail brands say they are “committed” for one reason or another. Likewise, the “associative and civic responsibilities” section, appendix to CVs, is now clearly highlighted. Rightly so, because it often makes the difference in recruitment when faced with more qualified candidates who do not have this experience. Associative responsibilities very popular in the private sector because they develop these famous behavioral skills so useful in most professions (leadership, initiative, creativity, sense of collective, etc.), which are learned in these collectives but cannot be taught not.
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