France
City of Paris
The
The "Become a Paris Volunteer" citizen mission launched by the City Council of Paris is a program that invites citizens to get involved in solidarity and civic actions throughout the year.
The main objective of this initiative is to promote citizen participation through concrete actions to improve life in the city and for the citizens of Paris. It seeks to encourage citizens to contribute to the well-being of the community by taking action on a variety of issues.
Another aim of "Become a Paris Volunteer" is to prepare volunteers for emergency situations by training them in first aid and disaster risk reduction, while strengthening social cohesion and local democracy.
Participants in "Become a Paris Volunteer" are mainly adults, without much distinction as to gender, age or social category. The program reaches a wide range of citizens, from those wishing to get involved in environmental, social or solidarity causes. There are also people more interested in cultural and sporting events.
With over 86,000 registered volunteers, the program has succeeded in reaching a wide audience with the aim of actively contributing to the city of Paris.
The methodology of the "Become a Paris Volunteer" program is based on great flexibility, enabling volunteers to commit themselves at their own pace and according to their availability. Free, qualifying training courses are offered, such as those on zero waste, first aid or crisis management, enabling participants to acquire practical skills.
By 2023, over 5,000 volunteers had taken part in these courses. The approach is inclusive, with mobilization around major issues, notably the fight against climate disruption, through actions such as tree planting or pollution awareness.
The impact is visible (Plan Arbre plans to plant 170,000 trees between 2020 and 2026), and citizen participation in local projects is increasing, contributing to more democratic and inclusive governance in Paris. The concrete actions of City of Paris volunteers aim to provide direct support to vulnerable populations and contribute to the preservation of the environment. The latter is essential in the eyes of the City of Paris, which focuses on raising awareness among individuals and businesses of waste management and sorting through training in "eco gestures", simple gestures that help preserve biodiversity.
Missions include taking part in the "Nuit de la Solidarité", collecting and distributing clothes and food, and preparing hygiene kits for the homeless. Volunteers also accompany isolated seniors through the "Paris en Compagnie" operation, which combats the isolation of lonely elderly people.
In addition, Parisian events such as the Nuit Blanche, the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine and Paris Plages also provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved and energize the cultural and civic life of the French capital. This was proven by the very successful organization of the Rugby World Cup, which took place in France and in Paris among other places in 2023, as well as the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To become a Paris Volunteer, citizens can go to AGIR, a platform launched by the Paris City Hall to find all the projects and possibilities for action for the city in one place, and to make it easier for residents to take action. The platform takes geographical location into account and suggests nearby initiatives. Last but not least, the application enables citizens to list their volunteer work and commitments.
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