Investment & Fund Management

L'école de la librairie, a trade association in France, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly a sharp increase in registrations for their vocational training programs due to rising unemployment. This situation highlighted the need for the association to enhance its online offerings to reach potential trainees beyond local borders and to boost distance learning capabilities. Recognizing the impending retirement of a generation of booksellers, the association aimed to attract new talent to fill the gaps in bookstores across France.

To address these challenges, L'école de la librairie secured an EU-guaranteed loan backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF) through the financial intermediary Sogama. This funding was pivotal in enabling the association to rent and renovate new premises in September 2020, leading to the establishment of 'La Ruche' (the 'beehive'), a bookshop school and training center. This facility not only doubled their operational space but also provided a practical environment for trainees to gain hands-on experience in bookselling, including sales techniques, stock management, and customer service.

As a result of this initiative, L'école de la librairie was able to create three new jobs, including one trainee position and two managerial roles. The expansion and enhancement of their training programs positioned the association to better serve the future needs of the bookselling profession in France, ensuring a steady influx of qualified individuals into the industry.