ALIJPA: concern over the end of educational commitment contracts

After sixty years of existence, the leisure reception of Saint-Ferréol is uncertain about its future. “During the year 2022, the foundations of animation were held,” confides Laurent Cluchier, president of the lay inter-municipal association of outdoor games and activities (ALIJPA), manager of the facility. “An inventory of the sector was made and a 25-point reform project drawn up by the ministry emerged. For us, the 24th point is worrying, since it aims to make the training contract (EEC) unusable for the collective reception of homeless minors like us.

Unique of its kind, the Saint-Ferréol leisure center welcomes more than 1,000 children aged 3 to 15. Vector of employment for young people, the structure employs 105 young people a year thanks in particular to the CEECs. Young people who in the past have often passed through the center as children. With a training budget of 16,000 euros in 2022, it actively participates in the training of these young people enabling them to pass the BAFA, the PSC1 and the lifeguard diploma.

A danger to the structure

Inter-municipal leisure center, bringing together the municipalities of Bon-Encontre, Boé, Pont-du-Casse and Castelculier, the Saint-Ferréol leisure center is made up entirely of volunteers. In a letter addressed to Sarah El Hairy, Secretary of State responsible for youth and universal national service, the mayors of these 4 municipalities express their legitimate concern. “The application of this reform would entail an additional cost of 300,000 euros in payroll, or double what it currently represents”. They are especially concerned about taking on this extra cost. Funded on the one hand by the parents, through the daily rate, the increase in these rates is not feasible according to Laurent Cluchier. “Our prices are low, starting from 2.98 euros to 11.66 euros depending on the family quotient. If we double the prices, parents won’t be able to afford to bring their children. Similarly, 200,000 euros are found. The the family allowance fund cannot finance more than it currently does We still have the local authorities who already finance the structure, but they will not even be able to compensate for this budget gap.

A need to specify the reform

If to date the reform does not seem to be clear enough for the association. However, it is obvious to them that the use of these contracts can be reserved for non-profit associations, popular education, recreation centers and holiday centres. The association has also put forward proposals on this reform. “We propose to maintain the use of the EECs for the collective reception of homeless minors managed by non-profit popular educational associations, in the extracurricular sphere. We also want to open a debate on the revaluation of the EECs”.

In the event of a reform leading to the abolition of the EEC for the collective reception of homeless minors, the association would be forced to drop from 1,100 children to just 300. The president deplores “a mortal blow” for this association which recruits and gives its opportunity every year for many young people”.