PolyWorks for the Community
Basic information
Project Title
Category
Project Description
Going beyond housing has become both a social and economic requirement of the times. The current crisis has accelerated the redefining of the relationship between social landlords and tenants for the benefit of all involved. With specific programmes and a fully computerised dedicated co-working space, LogiRep brings the benefits of technology to its tenants, thereby pioneering a new approach to community building and economic uplifting in its Normandy housing estates. The rewards are multiple.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
Following on the footsteps of a European-funded programme focused on employment training for unemployed residents of its Normandy social housing estates, LogiRep volunteered to create a co-working space in one of its properties. The goal was to support tenants who were affected by lockdown restrictions and the lack of work-from-home facilities.
The project is located in Sotteville-lès-Rouen near the city of Rouen in Normandy. The LogiRep property had a vacant room of 30 sqm with an ensuite restroom which made it an ideal place as a co-working space and training room. Renovation work was carried out in last quarter of 2021 with internet connectivity added. LogiRep installed 8 refurbished computers within the spirit of the circular economy, each being equipped with internet connection and an open office pack. Visio conferencing is also available as well as printing facilities. New furniture was purchased to create a warm and cozy environment.
The grand opening took place on 20 January 2022 with the attendance of the local mayor.
This co-working space is available to all tenants at no charge as they look for jobs, seek to become entrepreneurs, require to complete online administrative matters, attend trainings and workshops organised through various programmes or simply require a quiet and connected place to work from home. It is also meant to be open to local non-for-profit and charitable organisations so that more people in need can benefit.
Bringing further added-value to its c. 1,500 Normandy-based tenants was also important to LogiRep and, today, the inhabitants of these housing estates can also enjoy the multiple benefits offered by the SMIILE platform in their day-to-day life. SMIILE is a multi-service digital platform that leverages on the sharing economy and community building concepts where tenants get to know their neighbours and start sharing resources, information, services, transportation…
Key objectives for sustainability
Through this multi-levelled project, which can make a huge beneficial difference in the life of many residents, LogiRep goes beyond the traditional role of a social housing provider. With the opening of its first co-working space alongside the availability of the SMIILE platform to all its tenants in Normandy, LogiRep transcends the landlord/tenant relationship, where the support provided to residents facilitates both daily life and work requirements as well as physical and emotional wellbeing.
This project is a first step for LogiRep. This is the first time that a vacant space in its large national social housing estate of over 80,000 dwellings is dedicated as a co-working space for use by tenants for their employment or administrative needs. Technical support to advance their digital skills in a growing digital economy is also being provided to them with compliments. Environmentally speaking, this project in sharing economy supports a lower carbon footprint.
This socially-responsible project is the start of similar initiatives to be developed within the company as part of its New Housing program. As a matter of fact, it is part of a broader vision of Polylogis Group where social housing is elevated to a new housing level, with advanced sustainability principles and practices at its core, based on environmental-friendly building materials and providing added services to his tenants.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
There is no denying that a pleasing working environment improves mental wellbeing, concentration and productivity. Focusing on the aesthetics of this co-working space was an integral part of the renovation work carried out for the transformation of the vacant facilities into a comfortable, soothing and relaxing working space, conducive to concentration and wellbeing. Much attention was placed on optimising the space available in order to be able to be of service to as many people as possible whilst caring about providing a quiet and intimate space, respectful of confidentiality and comfort. The layout of the co-working space is all about balance and harmony, supported by green plants, good light and air quality.
Most of the users of the co-working space are unemployed people who need support, functional but also emotional, as they seek employment. As the economies are growing increasingly and rapidly digital, they need access to fast connectivity but also technical skills to cope with the digital needs of the times. This project has been designed to optimise client satisfaction. It is a pilot project but also a model for Polylogis where fine-tuning will be adjusted as needs evolve or new needs appear. Feedback from the users is very much appreciated and we are very happy to report that the space utilisation is increasing day by day and users are satisfied.
Key objectives for inclusion
At the early stage of the project, LogiRep organised a poll with the residents from Sotteville and nearby Normandy locations. Very encouraging results came through with a higher than usual response level from poll participants together with the expression of a keen interest for the proposed co-working space facility, which is being made available to all at no cost.
As the facilities are open to residents and non-residents alike, LogiRep is also looking at establishing partnerships with local agencies and associations so that they may also enjoy the use of such facilities in order to benefit more people in need.
It is important to highlight that this project has a favorable direct impact on employment as one person has been hired. The position not only involves managing the co-working space but also supporting residents/attendees should they request for assistance, notably in their job searches or to complete online administrative tasks. The venue is also meant to be used for employment-focused workshops, such as those financed by the European-funded INCREASE programme or other trainings on digital skills. Amara, who started work in January, is now even expanding such trainings to nearby local schools. As the co-working space is open to all, in an inclusive spirit, residents from other neighbouring social housing estates can also benefit.
As regards the SMIILE platform itself, LogiRep aims at creating or re-creating socially-connected communities. The goal is nurture the nascent sharing economy for everyone’s benefit. The ultimate goal is also to give unemployed tenants the opportunity to find small jobs within these communities as a stepping stone into their going-back-to-work journey initiated through the INCREASE project.
Results in relation to category
The co-working space only opened recently and we are now focused on informing people that it is available to them. 1,000 flyers have already been distributed. As days go by, the attendance is growing and it is nice to see repeated use of the facility by the same people who clearly find it beneficial. In less than 2 months, the below results have already been achieved:
- tenant sought help to perform administrative tasks online.
- One young resident used the facility for job search.
- 3 employees from a startup company are making use of the facility.
- Workshops on digital skills are now scheduled once a week to train young students. Local schools are being briefed on these workshops.
- Workshops to local people will also be organised with help from the mayor’s office
- The co-working space has also been registered on the Ubic platform that registers co-working spaces.
So far, the participation has been diverse and inclusive, spanning generations. The feedback received so far is more than encouraging. This project answers important needs from people who don’t have the resources or skills for digital tools yet need access to those skills and tools for daily life in our modern digitalised societies.
Mrs L, one of the tenant told us "Since I don’t have any computer equipment in my home and especially because I don’t have the money to have it at the moment, I find it very interesting to have equipment close to my home. Living in the residence, I only have to go down the steps to access the computer space".
How Citizens benefit
As a landlord, LogiRep shares initiatives with its tenants. A poll was therefore organised prior to launching the project so as to validate both the interest and needs of residents for such a co-working space. The favorable feedback was beyond expectations so LogiRep went ahead. Residents’ response is extremely important as they will be the users of the facility and involving them from the onset of the project is an absolute requirement. It is critical that that be on board with the idea and share how they would use it. The subsequent various lockdowns and restrictions related to covid have postponed the start of the project which could only be completed in end 2021 and officially opened in January 2022.
As a social housing provider, LogiRep also communicates regularly with local mayors and often seeks their supports for projects that would impact residents’ lives within the estates. The local mayor of Sotteville very much welcomed this new initiative from LogiRep and joined the opening ceremony of the facility. Local non-for-profit organisations also supported the project and expressed interest in making use of the facility for the needs of the communities that they support.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
Co-working spaces are not new but they are usually private and provided at a cost. The co-working space of Sotteville is provided free of charge to all residents of LogiRep’s properties located in the Rouen region. It is also going to be provided free of charge to nearby local charitable organisations.
This co-working space was designed to be a pleasing place whilst offering all the amenities at no cost so as to meet all the needs of the users.
This co-working space also allows users to learn or improve their digital skills which is now increasingly required in their daily lives. Being digitally capable also helps them build inner confidence and imrpoves their ability to find better jobs.
Learning transferred to other parties
Replicating such a project is easy, as long as a physical space, with an ensuite restroom, is available.
Initial sounding of potential users has to be made to assert their needs and interest in such a project. This project is for the people so the people have to be happy with it.
It is important to pay attention to the quality of the equipment and wifi connection and to adapt the equipment and tools to the needs of people (for instance, to provide visio conferencing services and printing capabilities).
It is important to think about the environmental wellbeing of the users and make sure there be good air quality, good lighting and a comfortable and cosy environment that also respects a minimum of privacy.
It is also valuable to help create a job opportunity for a manager of the co-working space. As some users of the co-working space may not be comfortable with the use of online tools, it is recommended to hire a manager with both technical and training skills.
Some costs are involved and these may be part of CSR budget. There may also be subsidies available in respect to the hiring of a dedicated staff.
