OUR STORY
Le Carillon, was the first solidarity network of The Chime. Created in 2015 it arose from the conviction that each of us, by simple daily gestures, can improve the everyday life of people living in precarious situations.
The purpose of "Le Carillon", using the logistics and infrastructure of every shopkeeper, is to offer anyone who might need it basic services and assistance, as a way to better their everyday life.
After being contacted by several citizens around the world, La Cloche, the organisation coordinating Le Carillon, decided to create The Chime in order to share their expertise and support social initiatives.
Now, The Chime has expanded its action to 16 cities in 5 countries, which means awareness is being raised and daily actions are being made by volunteers, citizens and businesses around the world.
The initiatives of The Chime all have the same goals :
-
Fight social exclusion & promote coexistence in societies
-
Empower citizens with and without homes
-
Enhance the daily life of excluded people
83% of homeless people feel rejected by their fellow-citizens. This reject hinders their sense of belonging.
94% of citizens would like to do more to tackle socail exclusion, but feel helpless as to how to do so.
Material items are not enough. Social connection is just as important as material goods, and leads to a better inclusion of people in the society.
It's by the multiplication of united little actions that we can, all together, provide people with choices and the ability to be included in regular community spaces.
WHAT IS IT?
A Solidarity Network is a local system connecting small businesses, citizens and social services to provide everyday services for people in situations of social vulnerability.
Instead of creating separate services, Solidarity Networks use existing neighbourhood dynamics to make cities more welcoming and foster inclusion.
Shopkeepers open their doors to people in need offering free services such as a glass of water, access to a bathroom, charging a phone; also offering products such as hot drinks, meals, pastries, haircuts; or enable neighbours and customers to pre-pay products for those who can’t, providing people with choices and the ability to be included in regular community spaces.
HOW CAN YOU START?
Contact us and get our support with methodology, tools and community support from established, solidarity networks in other cities.
WHAT IS UP TO YOU?
Fully adapt the model to your city and local context by partnering with local organizations, NGOs, and shopkeepers to create products and services your community actually needs.
Find shopkeepers: rely on existing solidarity and tips from locals, visit the places (shops, theater, bar) in person and follow-up on your visits.
Track the impact: Feedback surveys involve users and shopkeepers to assess sustainability and usefulness.
DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK?
It does! - Solidarity Networks already operate in France, Belgium, Czech Republic and Portugal, engaging hundreds of shopkeepers and providing thousands of everyday services to people facing difficult situations
Download the presentation in ENGLISH / FRENCH / PORTUGUESE / DUTCH / CZECH
In 2025, a consortium was formed for the European program Erasmus+ as a cooperative partnership in adult education.
Composed by Social Nexus (Portugal), Enchanté (Belgium), Mistni Mistnim (Czech Republic), and La Cloche (France), this action aims at strengthening the capacities of organisations involved in solidarity networks.
Through peer learning, workshops and group activities, partner organisations are working together to build a shared methodology that can facilitate inclusive and autonomous networks.
The project promotes exchanges of practices in order to increase the impact and long term sustainability of existing and future solidarity networks disseminated across Europe.
The collaboration final report is scheduled for December 2026.
