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 from entrepreneur Philippe Journo. He noted that Paris lacked a beautiful, central place that matched 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 try to promote philanthropic gestures and the commitment of public interest professionals," explains Cendrine Nazos.
More than ten years later, the venue hosts a large community of resident associations at capped rates, allowing them to be present in the heart of the capital. This space also fosters synergies, mutual support, and exchanges of contacts and advice.
The support is offered through two programs: an incubator, the historical program, and an accelerator created in 2024. Both aim to assist in the skill development of project leaders. The venue also organizes master classes and conferences.
"Too often, associations are still perceived as bonus actors in society and can be seen as amateurish," explains Cendrine Nazos. "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—government, businesses, citizens—understand that associations do professional and important work, as vital as any business. Just like a business, an association needs both solid leadership and a robust model. And that’s what we help achieve at Philanthro-Lab," concludes Cendrine Nazos.
