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Fraternity (2/2)
In France, every person, French or foreign, can get involved freely. This right is called "freedom of association" (liberté d'association). It is written in a law from 1901.
Key points of the sheet
- Involvement can take different forms. You can work in an association, for example in culture, sport or humanitarian aid. You can also help others in your free time, without pay: this is volunteering (bénévolat).
- You can also join a trade union to defend workers' rights. You can join a political party or take part in an election campaign.
- Getting involved in an association lets you meet people with different life situations. It also lets you defend ideas, help others or take part in society.
- Involvement is also a way to take part in community life, solidarity and democracy.
- Creating an association is a simple process. You need to bring together at least two people. You need to choose a non-profit goal, one that does not aim to make money.
- You also need to write the statutes (statuts), that is, the operating rules of the association. Then you make a declaration at the prefecture (préfecture) or online.
- An association can receive donations or subsidies. It must then respect certain obligations: transparency about finances, respect for the law, declaring changes.
Words to know
- freedom of association (liberté d'association)
- It is the right of every person, French or foreign, to get involved freely. It is written in a law from 1901.
- volunteering (bénévolat)
- It means doing something for others, in your free time, without being paid.
- trade union (syndicat)
- You can join a trade union to defend workers' rights.
- non-profit goal (objectif non lucratif)
- It is a goal that does not aim to make money, for example helping people.
- statutes (statuts)
- They are the operating rules of the association.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What is the minimum number of people needed to create an association?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de personnes faut-il au minimum pour créer une association ?
To create an association, you need to bring together at least two people.
What year is the law on freedom of association from?
In French, the language of the exam: De quelle année date la loi sur la liberté d'association ?
Freedom of association is written in a law that dates from 1901.
Where can you declare a new association?
In French, the language of the exam: Où peut-on déclarer une nouvelle association ?
To create an association, you must make a declaration at the prefecture or online.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- In France, who has the freedom of association (the right to join or create groups)?
- Which of these is an example of civic participation?
- What is freedom of association?
More in this topic (The motto of the Republic)
Source
Sheet “La fraternité (2/2)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.