In 2013, some residents of Saint-Julien-en-Born launched an ambitious initiative: to create a space where ideas could germinate, come to fruition and bring people together. Thus, two years later Smalah was born, an association driven by the values of popular education and the desire to rebuild social bonds. A decade later, the results speak for themselves: a community café that is always full, a fablab to encourage local creativity and a training space where learning and sharing combine.
The story of Smalah is that of a collective adventure. With its eleven employees, its forty active volunteers, no less than 855 members as well as a handful of entrepreneurs brought together in a dynamic collective, the association has established itself as a pillar of local development. But far from resting on its laurels, it is already looking towards the future, with a clear vision: to consolidate what has been built, while opening new doors.
Places to create, learn and share
La Smalah is above all a lively and welcoming place, reflecting its values. The associative café, in the heart of Saint-Julien-en-Born, is a space where everyone can come and exchange ideas, get information or simply spend a warm moment over a drink. The fablab, hosted by the Grenier de Mézos, is a veritable hive of activity, where craftsmen, DIY enthusiasts and the curious come to learn about various techniques, from digital to crafts. Finally, the training space, also located in Saint-Julien-en-Born, offers workshops suitable for all ages and levels.
These places are not simple infrastructures: they are the reflection of a philosophy. That of believing that the collective is stronger than the isolated individual, that knowledge is shared and that each project, however modest, can contribute to enriching the territory.
