Between financial difficulties and loss of members, associations, weakened by the coronavirus crisis, expect a very difficult return to school.
At the microphone of Europe 1, Frédérique Pfrunder, general delegate of the Associative Movement, therefore calls for the support of the government and the population.
INTERVIEW
Actors from the associative world are sounding the alarm.
Very weakened by the confinement and the health crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic, associations have to face a difficult start to the school year, between financial difficulties and a drop in the number of members.
The associative movement estimates that 30,000 structures are threatened with disappearance.
On Europe 1, its general delegate Frédérique Pfrunder therefore calls on the population to turn to associations, and asks for help from the government.
>>
LIVE -
Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Wednesday, September 2
"The associative fabric has been very affected by the crisis", she confirms, recalling that associations are above all "places of social bond and development of activities".
However, the crisis had impacts "on the general functioning, the possible implication of the members and the volunteers, and of the financial impacts which make that many associative structures find themselves in the difficulty, some not excluding the filing of bankruptcy. , and a certain number of others not being sure of being able to maintain their salaried workforce when they have it ".
More generally, "many associations are wondering how they will be able to resume and continue their activities this coming back to school", continues the guest from Europe 1.
A complicated adaptation to the health situation
But which sectors are the most affected?
Frédérique Pfrunder mentions in particular that of social tourism, with its holiday villages, its colonies, but also "the cultural associations which animated festivals during the spring and summer period", or "those which give music lessons, of dance, associative cinemas ".
CORONAVIRUS ESSENTIALS
> Covid-19: why the increase in the number of cases is greater than that of hospitalizations
> INVESTIGATION - Coronavirus: towards a new shortage of masks and gloves?
> Faced with the rebound of the Covid-19 epidemic, screening centers are overwhelmed
> Holidays: should grandparents worry about looking after their grandchildren?
> Coronavirus: the 5 mistakes not to make with your mask
For all these associations, "it's very complicated" to resume, explains the general delegate of the Associative Movement.
The structures "try to adapt to the health protocol, to offer their members activities that fit into this framework, but it is obviously complicated".
A call to the population and the government
Therefore, should we fear heavy losses of members?
"It's a risk", recognizes Frédérique Pfrunder, launching "an appeal" to the population: "If you are used to going to associations to carry out your daily activities, support them!".
Before also appealing to the government.
"These associative structures are weakened, and need support. Obviously, as part of the recovery plan, the government is expected to take this into account, and that the associations are also stakeholders in this plan. need specific support in this area that meets the specificities of associations. "
Because for Frédérique Pfrunder, the weakening of structures can have a much broader impact than on the associative world.
"This weakening in the medium term can have an impact on the social bond", she warns.