Problem addressed
Drawing on the experience of its social workers, who support people undergoing social and professional integration on a daily basis, Emmaüs Défi has identified financial and material difficulties in accessing long-term housing. Indeed, whilst access to housing is a crucial step that offers hope to people in difficulty, it also raises issues regarding household furnishings, which can act as a barrier to them settling into their new home.
Innovative solution
The Banque Solidaire de l'Équipement (BSE) has five shops in France, in Paris, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille. In these shops, beneficiaries – who have been referred by social workers from partner organisations – are welcomed by BSE staff, who assist and advise them with their purchases.
The products on offer in BSE shops are new, high-quality items at prices that are, on average, 71 per cent lower than market prices. Indeed, BSE’s aim is to enable everyone to personalise their home so they can make it their own and feel ‘at home’.
The logistics involved in handling the items – both upstream (receiving donations) and downstream (preparing orders and home deliveries) – are managed by employees on work integration programmes at Emmaüs Défi.
Key results and benefits
- 43,000 people supported by the BSE
- 1,700 social workers who refer clients
- 60 partner companies that make donations
Potential for mainstreaming
The BSE’s aim, looking ahead to 2026, is to set up branches in France’s major cities. To this end, the BSE intends to build on the Emmaus network whilst also forging links with other relevant local organisations in order to cover the whole country.
The BSE is a laureate of the 2021–2022 cohort of the P'INS scale-up support programme, jointly run by Fondation Macif and Avise.
