In 2014, a competition was organized by the City of Paris to "Reinvent Paris." Several proposals were made for a new use of the Hôtel de la Bûcherie, including one by Philippe Journo, an entrepreneur who noted the lack of a beautiful, central place in Paris that meets the social utility of public interest actors and the nonprofit sector.
He proposed to transform this space into a coworking and support venue. His proposal for Philanthro-Lab won the competition.
“The goal of Philanthro-Lab is to unite, bring together, and promote the philanthropic gesture and the commitment of professionals in the public interest,” explains Cendrine Nazos.
More than ten years later, a large community of residents, including associations, is welcomed at capped rates, allowing them to be present in the heart of the capital. It is a place that also fosters synergies, mutual support, contact exchanges, and advice.
The support is offered through two programs: an incubator, which is the historical program, and an accelerator created in 2024. Both aim to support the skill development of project leaders. There is also a programming component, featuring master classes and conferences.
“Too often, associations are still perceived as bonus actors in society and can be seen as amateurish,” explains Cendrine Nazos. “However, if we were to eliminate the nonprofit sector tomorrow, I believe we would all quickly realize, within just a few hours, their importance and impact on society.”
“Therefore, we need to make stakeholders—such as the state, businesses, and citizens—understand that associations perform professional and important work, as crucial as any business. Just like a business, an association needs a solid foundation in both its leadership teams and its model. And that’s what we help achieve at Philantro-Lab,” concludes Cendrine Nazos.
