Founded in 2006 in Vénissieux, near Lyon, following the riots that erupted after the deaths of Zyed and Bouna in Clichy-sous-Bois, Positiv was born from the observation that professional exclusion and distance from the job market could foster a sense of marginalization. “If people are sometimes victims of discrimination, it might be easier to find clients than an employer, so we help them create their own business,” explains Claudia Ruzza.
Since then, the association has expanded to 170 neighborhoods across France. It supports residents at every stage of their project, from the idea to the creation, as well as in building confidence and motivation. Over 20 years, it has assisted around 30,000 people and contributed to the creation of 13,000 businesses.
The projects are mainly related to local economy sectors, such as construction, transportation, bakeries, hairdressing, catering, and services. “We support projects in the local economy, in everyday life, which are sometimes seen as small projects, but in reality, they are not small at all,” emphasizes Claudia Ruzza.
For the General Director, entrepreneurship also helps change the perception of these areas. It is estimated that 25% of their population is engaged in entrepreneurial activities. “We rarely talk about the normal life” of neighborhoods, she laments, while they are also “people who live, who create, who work, who produce, and who ultimately keep a part of France running, quite simply,” concludes Claudia Ruzza.
