La T’Rêve is an intercultural resource centre focusing on migration. It is also a place offering respite and unconditional welcome, open during the day to anyone in a vulnerable situation, as well as citizens and those involved in solidarity work. It is supported by a joint monitoring committee comprising City officials and representatives from local civil society organisations.
Implementation dates: Since 2022
Background / Issues identified
La T’Rêve is the result of a collective initiative, driven by the network of solidarity’s organisations in Strasbourg. Its origins date back to 2019, with the creation of the ‘hospitality city’ initiative and the adoption of a Manifesto for the dignified reception of vulnerable migrants[1].
Following the ‘Night of Solidarity’ organised in 2020, several local stakeholders and local authorities were able to reaffirm the need for a resource centre in Strasbourg for people in migration situations. This view was also shared by the Council for Intercultural and Civic Life, which in 2019 called for the creation of an intercultural space capable of centralising the information that new arrivals in Strasbourg might need. In 2021, a study carried out by the association ‘Parole sans Frontières’ highlighted the importance of initial reception in all its aspects, laying the groundwork for a future centre bringing together various areas of activity.
Implementation process
It is an experimental ‘third place’ covering 500m², a place of respite for vulnerable people, offering unconditional support four days a week from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
It is a space for dialogue and cooperation with civil society to address the humanitarian and social crisis currently affecting a section of the population, at a time when a quarter of Strasbourg’s population lives below the poverty line. The project also aims to strengthen community-based solidarity, both by raising public awareness of issues relating to hospitality and by promoting local solidarity initiatives.
Beyond providing essential services, T’Rêve’s mission is to rebuild social ties and contribute to people’s mental wellbeing, whilst also serving as an information and referral centre and a venue for hosting events and exhibitions designed to raise awareness, promote solidarity initiatives and facilitate intercultural encounters.
Activities:
- Welcome and rest: this is a space open to all those in vulnerable situations. It is also a place offering a warm welcome, a listening ear, information and guidance tailored to each individual’s needs. It provides rest and tranquility, meeting basic needs (showers, luggage storage, a rest area, a laundry room, access to computers, a gym and a communal kitchen).
- Activities: spaces are made available to offer opportunities for people to meet and take part in activities, led by professionals, organisations or local residents (French lessons, administrative support, digital support, wellbeing activities, cookery classes, performances, etc.)
- A space to meet and foster solidarity: it is a place where citizens can come together, where initiatives are proposed to mobilise people around issues of mutual aid and solidarity, and a place that facilitates mutual understanding between organisations and local residents (discussion cafés, awareness-raising workshops and information on civic engagement, etc.)
Process:
Designed and managed by the ‘Mission Ville Hospitalière’ (hospitality city initiative) of the City of Strasbourg’s Department for Solidarity, Health and Youth, the centre is run by four municipal staff members.
Based on a joint governance model involving civil society organisations and the city, T’Rêve relies on a consultative process. To this end, a project monitoring committee has been set up comprising members of the CCAS, City Council departments and the voluntary sector, to enrich the project. Workshops on specific themes (reception, rest, civic engagement, debates and meetings) have been organised. There is a coordination mechanism between the City and the organisations involved in this third place, as well as opportunities for dialogue with local residents and those using the centre.
Results achieved*
The centre recorded nearly 11,500 visits in one year in 2023 (an average of 60 visits per day). 87 per cent of those using the centre are isolated men, the majority of whom are waiting for their right to residence to be settled or are in a precarious housing situation.
As a reminder, there are more than 5,000 asylum seekers in the Bas-Rhin, and the success rate is in the region of 50 to 60 per cent, following long waiting periods.
Cross-cutting aspects
The centre thus expands the city’s network of day centres, which comprises 26 facilities across the city. Ultimately, the City Council has approved the purchase of a building to house La T’Rêve in the Koenigshoffen neighbourhood. Service users will be involved in the development of this project.
Resources and documentation
https://www.strasbourg.eu/se-mettre-a-l-abri-en-journee
https://soliguide.fr/fr/fiche/la-t-reve-26421
https://www.strasbourg.eu/-/la-t-reve-a-rouvert
Strasmag 340, page 3 : https://www.calameo.com/read/00182191929815df34ca8
https://strasbourgdeuxrives.eu/fr/avec-la-treve-la-ville-hospitaliere-sinvente-a-la-coop/
