Non Profit ID card: present your project/organisation/campaign
Questions answered by Caroline Falletta, responsible for L’Univert.
– Where are you based? Paris, in a multi-cultural and working-class area called La Goutte d’Or.
– What are you called? L’Univert.
– What are you doing and why? I am responsible for L’Univert, a social insertion garden, a green area amid grey architecture, where people come to do some gardening. Touching the earth and being in contact with the nature is something that does good. Gardening is an excuse for people to feel better and be together. It is a way to create social bonds, sharing knowledge and experiences.
– Do you have a website/email?www.lunivertgo.blogspot.com, caroline.falletta@halage.fr
– What makes you so special? The very good atmosphere between people at the garden. This is what makes us different from the other social insertion gardens in Paris. Who comes to L’Univert for the first time is immediately impressed by the welcoming environment: people are very happy to be together and to meet new gardeners. Maybe it is me who has communicated this sense of warmth, maybe it comes from my Italian origin!
The turning point
– How did you start? Before getting involved at l’Univert I did an internship at another social insertion garden in Paris. Having lived in the Goutte d’Or area for 15 years, I then decided to create a similar structure in my area. L’Univert opened in September 2010.
– Who is your target? The garden is aimed both at people who face difficulties and people who don’t, because it is not only a garden for social insertion, but also a shared garden. This means that everyone can come: people who live in the building, the inhabitants of the area and in general all people who want to come and have a good time.
L’Univert favours the insertion of excluded and disadvantaged people, people who benefit from subsidies, long time unemployed people, homeless, drug addict.
– How are you financed? The garden is supported by Halage, the association for which I work, that helped me to fund the project. Both public partners, such as the city of Paris, and private foundations have financed L’Univert so far. I am currently looking for financing and investors for 2012, to perpetuate the project.
The challenge
– A proud moment? The inauguration of the garden, in July 2011. I was very happy because the gardeners, who contributed a lot to the success of the project, were there. Without them I could not have made the garden as beautiful as it is now. I was therefore very happy to show the result of their work to the partners.
– A problem you face? The only problem that I sometimes have to face is when there are conflicts between people. In this case I have to ensure that people respect each other and that these problems are solved.
– Another cool project/organisation/campaign you would like to recommend? Halage, the association that support s the project, specialized in insertion through economic activity and professional training in the environmental area.
