First Paris donation box

Community

Dare to share: a donation box for sharing stuff on the streets of Paris

In September 2015, the association Cap ou pas Cap (To dare or not to dare?) built the first givebox of Paris (place Félix Éboué) together with inhabitants and associations from the 12th district in Paris. A givebox is a cupboard located in public space, freely accessible, 24/7. Anyone can leave or pick up unused items: books, clothes, non-perishable food, etc., with no reciprocity required. Thanks to the growing success of this citizens’ initiative, the Paris mayor’s office and the 12th district mayor’s office contacted the association asking them to set up a large new givebox. During four participatory camps in September 2016, a team of volunteers and inhabitants built the new donation box, inaugurated in October 2016. Since then, inhabitants, local associations and Cap ou pas Cap organise activities every week in support of this givebox. The givebox has quickly become a highlight of the sharing economy in and around Paris: every hour about 15 people leave and/or take objects and 50 objects are put into circulation.