Green jobs to make the Ardèche even more beautiful

Desertification of the countryside, agriculture below subsistence level, social dislocation exacerbated by the economic crisis, as well as magnificent spaces conducive to the development of green tourism, and authorities who need service providers to bring them to fruition ... Tremplin Insertion Chantiers, installed in the Ardèche, stands at the center of these issues. Since 1997, this nonprofit for business activity has been helping people outside mainstream society (young people in difficulty, disabled persons, minimum wage earners, etc.), trains them and employs them on subsidized contracts. Its seven "green brigades" crisscross the region to take charge of projects to clean up and enhance the natural environment.

With highly positive results: in 2008, 60% of some 100 persons counseled during the year found a standard job or obtained further training. With a powerful contribution from the very close supervision by the nonprofit's personnel and the solid partnerships formed with all the local social players. Today, Tremplin Insertion Chantiers has to hire new staff to meet growing demand, particularly around the communes of Annonay and Privas.

The nonprofit is therefore setting up an eighth brigade, with eight new subsidized contracts, which also involves bolstering the support teams (staff, counselors, administrative positions). The support of the Veolia Environnement Foundation prolongs the grant already made to Tremplin Insertion Chantiers in 2006. It will help finance the purchase of part of the indispensible equipment for this additional brigade: a people carrier, treedozers, power saws and a plant grinder capable of chopping up whole trunks to convert them into compost.