Born in Quebec and created by Spectre de Rue in 2000 in Montreal, TAPAJ is the first pre-employment program aimed at marginalized individuals. To date, at least five other organizations in Quebec have adopted the concept.
It began in 1999 with a field study among homeless youth engaged in squeegeeing—cleaning car windshields at traffic lights. The study’s recommendations emphasized the need to create alternatives to the criminalization of young people performing informal street jobs considered illegal. As a result, an employment bank was established to offer various income-generating activities. In its first year, the initiative was a great success with youth, who were drawn to the nature and status of the available activities, such as cleaning windows of vacant buildings and creating an artistic mural. This success marked the birth of TAPAJ!
In 2003, Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services awarded TAPAJ the “Persiller Lachapelle” Award for Excellence in the category of Support for Vulnerable Individuals and Groups.
In 2007, the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC) hosted a professional from CEID-Addictions for a practice exchange. Three years later, inspired by the Quebec experience, a project to transfer the TAPAJ program emerged in Bordeaux. By 2010, most institutional partners feared the innovative concept would lead to setbacks and further job insecurity. Only the Bordeaux City Hall, particularly its Urban Social Development (DSU) department responsible for managing public nuisances, supported the project, agreeing to assist in its adaptation and implementation.
A lengthy and delicate adaptation process began to ensure compliance with the French Labor Code. The project faced numerous challenges, putting it at risk. However, by 2011, several private stakeholders expressed their interest, motivating further exploration of the program’s transferability.
In 2012, with support from the Auchan Foundation, CEID-Addictions temporarily resolved operational funding issues and launched the program. The DSU reaffirmed its commitment by proposing and financing the first work project—street weeding in the city. The first TAPAJ experiment in Bordeaux was underway! By the following year, partnerships with private stakeholders intensified, with initial work opportunities provided by SNCF, Auchan Mériadeck, ERDF, and the Bordeaux Solidaire Endowment Fund.
Thanks to this network of public and private actors and the partnership with ARE 33, an Intermediate Association specializing in Economic Integration through Employment, the TAPAJ ecosystem was secured. The program was officially launched by Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux. Meanwhile, ties with Quebec remained strong, exemplified by a twinning event attended by Gilles Beauregard, Director of Spectre de Rue, and Bordeaux TAPAJ participants. The Orange Foundation also contributed by developing a website and blog in collaboration with Bordeaux participants to strengthen connections between participants on both sides of the Atlantic.
On December 9, 2013, drawing on its experience, CEID-Addictions, with support from MILDECA, organized a presentation day for the TAPAJ program implemented in Bordeaux. Following the event, numerous addiction treatment organizations expressed interest in developing TAPAJ programs within their structures and regions.
Active in various addiction-related working groups and a member of Fédération Addiction, CEID-Addictions assumed a leading role in addressing the growing demand to expand TAPAJ across France. Recognizing Fédération Addiction’s ability to mobilize stakeholders and its expertise in participatory project management, MILDECA assigned it the responsibility of supporting future TAPAJ project leaders nationwide. In March 2014, with MILDECA’s support and CEID-Addictions’ expertise, Fédération Addiction launched a national initiative to facilitate the transfer of TAPAJ programs across France. This objective was integrated into MILDECA’s 2013-2017 strategic plan, under axis 1.3, “Reducing health risks and social harm,” specifically objective 1.3.2, “Promote socio-professional integration in comprehensive care.”
The national support plan was structured over two years (2014-2015). It included:
For more details, refer to the article on Fédération Addiction’s website.
Between 2014 and 2018, the TAPAJ network continued to grow, developing support tools, organizing network meetings, sharing professional practice reflections, and defining future strategies. The need for a formal representative organization led to the official creation of the TAPAJ FRANCE Association on June 2, 2016. While around ten CSAPA or CAARUD centers had implemented TAPAJ programs by 2014, many others quickly joined. The results were clear, with numerous TAPAJ participants sharing positive experiences of their journeys within the program.
TAPAJ’s relevance extended beyond CSAPA and CAARUD, resonating with other sectors facing similar challenges, including social services, employment integration, and the justice system. Starting in 2017, information requests emerged from local missions, municipalities, departmental councils, intermediate associations, and others. The TAPAJ FRANCE Association enhanced its support methods by optimizing collaboration around CSAPA/CAARUD, the core project leaders of the program.
At the end of 2018, President Emmanuel Macron launched his National Strategy to Combat Poverty, which specifically promoted four experimental initiatives, including the TAPAJ program. This announcement was formalized through a four-year objectives and resources agreement (2019-2022), with a dedicated budget for its implementation. This commitment brought together the historical TAPAJ partners:
This marked a new chapter for TAPAJ France in its national expansion. The allocated resources enabled significant reinforcement of the program’s staff, with the recruitment of experts in network coordination, multi-sector expertise (addiction treatment, employment integration, fundraising, etc.), and business development. The program scaled up steadily, with progress made week by week.
Support for both prospective and existing member organizations was structured in collaboration with regional commissioners responsible for implementing the Poverty Strategy.
In 2020, 12 new programs were approved. By early 2021, TAPAJ France had grown to 36 programs across 12 regions.
