The history of the IDEMU began with a commitment made by two associations working in the field of reintegration in the workplace: Espace et Halage. Since 1995, these associations had been developing projects in the framework of “green employment” in Ile-de-France. Halage in particular developed a qualifying training program: training as an urban environment agent. Thanks to training combining theoretical work, practical internships and team visits, the urban environment agent should become a technician with mastery of core ecological and sustainable development skills.

The actions of the ’Institut de l’écologie en milieu urbain’ affect different aspects of the urban environment – waste, urban life setting, open spaces and landscapes, water, energy and transport. For this end, the Institute has developed four main skills:

The IDEMU is positioned at the intersection between the emergence of new activities (environmental skills, urban promotion, local services) and the creation of  professionally and socially recognised skills. It involves the development of information and training actions in know-how linked to the environment and energy, within the context of sustainable development. Its objectives cover the four main objectives emphasised by the government in environmental matters: conserving and restoring heritage; limiting the use of resources; developing the production of sustainable goods, services and resources; mobilising the population for a new ecological citizenry.

Training has been set up at different levels (integration in the workplace, local authorities). The issue of local communication has given rise to specific training: the local environmental agent. This agent intervenes in a general sense in the environment of a given area. He carries out work on maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the local environment. Tools have also been implemented, in particular an urban ecology resource centre. Finally, the IDEMU coordinates the territory-environment-jobs network for ’Ile-de-France, the ’Ile-de-France network for jobs and environment resources’.

The main activity of the institute is the implementation of training programs aimed at different targets: persons undergoing qualified workplace integration programs and young  people in the framework of workplace reintegration; urban environment agents, landscape-heritage coordinators, environmental custodians, triage ambassadors, in the context of professional training and local authorities in the framework of continuous training. Personalised training based on specific requirements may also be set up. These training programs are provided reciprocally, based on a real link with the world of work  (workshop-schools).

Tools have been set up such as a resource centre in the field of urban ecology, and the IDEMU carries out project engineering activities, including outside European countries. Three projects are underway or under development: the reorganisation of waste collection in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, the creation of several dozen local environment agent positions in Senegal, experimentation with a new job profile linked to an environment which is more accessible to women in four countries.These measures make it possible to support emerging specialities and better imbed the specialities in the environmental sector and participate in their growth.

IDEMU (Institut de l’écologie en milieu urbain) - Urban ecology Institution
France

//1996

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Capacity building