The story dates back to the beginning of 2024. In Ploemeur, the environmental association Tarz Heol is responding to the call for projects launched by Lorient agglo, for the month of biodiversity and sustainable development. The association, made up entirely of volunteers, presents a project called “water, from sources to the sea” and is therefore requesting a grant of €1,200. In March, the list of 44 winners was revealed and Tarz Heol was not one of them. “We are the only association whose project was refused,” denounces Évelyne Maho, administrator of Tarz Heol.
Too much litigation against Lorient agglo?
After a letter sent to Lorient agglo to ask the reason for this refusal, the explanation was given. “To date, the multiplication of disputes brought by the Tarz Heol association against Lorient agglomeration is not likely to establish a relationship of trust”, reads Évelyne Maho aloud, quoting the letter sent by Lorient agglo, signed by the president of the community, Fabrice Loher.
The elected representative refers to the appeals launched by the association concerning the Scot du pays de Lorient and the extension of the Concerted Development Zone (Zac) of Mourillon, in Quéven. A reaction that the members of Tarz Heol decipher as “blackmail”. “This is no reason to be discriminated against in this way,” reacts Thierry Dedidier, treasurer of the association. If we respond to a call for projects, we either meet the criteria or we don’t.”
A reminder of the law for the urban area
Determined not to stop there, the members of Tarz Heol contacted the Defender of Rights. The latter concluded that there was an “illegal refusal”, insofar as “the reason given is based on inaccurate facts or on a reason unrelated to the general interest, such as political discrimination”. The rights defender thus sent a reminder of the law to Lorient agglo.
These financial adventures did not dissuade the association from carrying out its actions, since it nevertheless successfully carried out its water project in 2024, financed from its own funds, with its small annual budget of €15,000. . Still, its volunteers are wondering about the future. “Is it worth responding to a new call for projects from the agglomeration? », questions Évelyne Maho. For her, it is clear: without subsidies, the projects carried out by the association will have to be resized. “It’s not normal and we wouldn’t want an association to suffer the same thing,” insists the volunteer. When contacted, Lorient agglo did not respond to our request.
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