96% of French people believe that a company should have a territorial responsibility, an essential issue for two-thirds of them. This Territorial Corporate Responsibility (TCR), a concept that emerged in 2018, aims to create a positive impact through local stakeholder synergies. But how is it implemented in practice ?
Offshoring, growing inequalities, and environmental degradation… Globalization has shown its limits, highlighted by recent crises. “Partnerships between various local stakeholders” could provide solutions, according to a 2018 report by France Stratégie. Titled “Toward Territorial Corporate Responsibility,” the report emphasizes actions and collaborations developed at the local level. This is when the concept of TCR began to emerge in practice.
This is not about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which integrates the activities of organizations (companies, associations, etc.) within a global, national, or even international context. Territorial Corporate Responsibility (TCR), on the other hand, emphasizes the local roots of stakeholders.
Marilyne Filippi, an associate researcher at INRAE – AgroParisTech, defines TCR as the commitment of companies to “go beyond their usual boundaries and work closely with the actors of the territories where they are located” (Territorial Corporate Responsibility, 2022).
TCR benefits both territories and their communities.
The 2022 study by Toluna and Harris Interactive for ESS France highlights the importance of local synergies.
At least 95% of the 1,002 respondents believe that companies should consider economic, social, and environmental issues when developing their strategies.
For 9 out of 10 French people, “a company that invests in the territory where it operates can stand out from its competitors.”
Through these collaborations, companies strengthen their legitimacy. By operating at a local scale, they also contribute to the self-sufficiency of their territory in terms of resources and help reduce costs. In this mutually beneficial relationship, each partner gains from the expertise of the others. Ultimately, it is the pride of directly contributing to the improvement of living conditions for fellow citizens that is at stake.
While the acronym TCR includes “companies,” territorial responsibility concerns everyone! According to ESS France, 47% of French respondents believe that large companies do not act responsibly toward the territories where they are based.
TAPAJ is a counterexample: the association develops local partnerships with organizations like Suez and SNCF, which offer work projects in various cities. It also collaborates with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local authorities, and other community partners!
TAPAJ: A Tool That Grows with the Local Community
With 71 programs across mainland France and the Overseas Territories, TAPAJ integrates deeply into local communities. We refer to these as “ecosystems,” built on the expertise of each supporting medico-social organization. CSAPA and CAARUD tailor the TAPAJ program to fit their territory’s needs, ensuring that young people can fully engage with and benefit from the initiative.
« The TAPAJ ecosystem is extensive and includes large private and public companies, foundations, and local authorities. It is embedded in a local dynamic that involves both institutional and associative stakeholders, fostering collaboration and sustainable development within the community. »
At TAPAJ, Territorial Corporate Responsibility (TCR) is demonstrated through a threefold structure: the connection between our national association, local medico-social organizations, and the businesses and institutions offering work projects.
“The TAPAJ ecosystem is broad and includes large private and public companies, foundations, and local authorities, fitting into a local institutional and associative dynamic,” states a 2022 MILDECA report. By providing work opportunities, these public and private organizations directly support the most vulnerable young people in their communities, alongside many other partners!
What about the environment ?
TCR addresses both social and environmental impacts within a territory. The COP 21 held in Paris in 2015 established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core mission of TAPAJ aligns with six of these goals:
Beyond these goals, each project carried out by TAPAJ participants can contribute to achieving them. Here are a few examples:
Joining the TAPAJ network means committing to a Territorial Corporate Responsibility (TCR) approach that benefits local stakeholders: medico-social organizations, the public, local authorities, and, most importantly, fellow citizens.
Our partners place their territorial responsibility at the heart of social and environmental challenges, contributing to sustainable and inclusive community development.
TAPAJ France exhibited for the first time at the 2024 National Social Housing Congress in Montpellier to sign four long-term agreements at the 2024 HLM Congress, boosting job access for youth in 13 territories.
Housing providers are now key players in the program’s deployment and sustainability.
10% of workers under 25 suffer work-related injuries each year. This rate is 2.5 times higher than that of the rest of the workforce, highlighting a crucial reality: young people are more vulnerable to workplace accidents. TAPAJ is committed to ensuring their safety.
Social housing providers are among TAPAJ’s most committed economic partners. Over 40 HLM organizations regularly award service contracts to TAPAJ teams — a strong and lasting commitment to social inclusion through employment.
