28 propositions pour faire des tiers lieux des acteurs de cohésion territoriale – FR (2018)

The 2018 French-language report examined the development of “tiers lieux,” including coworking spaces, fab labs, shared workshops, makerspaces and other hybrid physical and digital places. Prepared through the Mission Coworking initiative, it described these sites as local infrastructure connecting changes in work, learning, social cooperation, digital practices and ecological transition. The report stated that the national count had reached nearly 1,800 locations, substantially above an earlier estimate of 600. It considered how such places were distributed across France, the conditions affecting their success and their potential contribution to territorial development, employment, mobility, production and social cohesion. Separate sections addressed community dynamics, leadership, territorial anchoring, business models, property costs, revenue stability and telework. The report also examined structural weaknesses, including uneven geographic coverage, dispersed support networks, fragile economics and the need for professional skills. It concluded with 28 public-policy proposals covering national coordination, professionalisation, hybrid activities, legal structures, financing, access to premises, public-private cooperation and recognition of telework in third places. Among its proposed measures were support for 300 “Fabriques des territoires,” an investment fund and formal recognition of the role of third-place facilitators.

Key findings

• The report identified nearly 1,800 third places in France, compared with an earlier estimate of 600.
• It presented 28 proposals intended to strengthen third places as contributors to territorial cohesion.
• The proposals included supporting the emergence of 300 “Fabriques des territoires.”
• The report linked third places to changes in work, lifelong learning and ecological transition.

Published by Fondation Travailler autrement, 2018