Bulletin de l’Association de Géographes Français (Nov 2022)
20 ans de solidarité internationale au sein du réseau régional multi-acteurs CENTRAIDER. De la fabrique de l’aide au développement à l’animation locale des territoires
Abstract
The CENTRAIDER network, which federates 900 actors of international solidarity in the Centre Val de Loire region, is 20 years old. This is a long enough time to reflect on the evolution of its missions and on the drivers that have guided its development. A nascent and fragile structure yesterday, Centraider is an organization recognized in the region, inserted in the national network of 12 regional multi-actor networks with a collective governance, the CIRRMA (Interregional Conference of Regional Multi-Actor Networks), and associated with many national institutions. These 20 years reflect the interactions between the strategies and values of the management team, the political history of the Region, that of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and those of the 900 partners federated by Centraider. Three periods are thus distinguished: the birth of Centraider (1995-2002), the structuring of the network (2002-2014) and its opening towards the national level (2014-2020). In terms of the development of territories, whether they belong to developing countries or to the Centre Val de Loire region, three tensions have marked the life of the network. Humanitarian aid has gradually faded away, without disappearing, in favor of development aid marked by a strong partnership with local companies. The professionalization of the employees and the increasing integration of Centraider into the national networks of international solidarity have modified the links with the 900 partners in the region, particularly with the smallest associations. Finally, the role of Centraider’s partners in the local development of the Centre Val de Loire region has long been overlooked. However, the tens of thousands of volunteers working for NGOs involved in international solidarity make a significant contribution to local development and social cohesion.
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