At the National Disability Conference on April 26, 2023, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a crucial initiative to speed up the accessibility of 5th-category private public buildings: the creation of the Fonds Territorial d'Accessibilité (FTA). With a budget of 300 million euros, this fund will run for 5 years, from November 2, 2023 to December 31, 2028.
What is the Territorial Accessibility Fund?
The FTA aims to provide financial support to 5th category private ERP in their efforts to adapt and bring their facilities into line with accessibility standards. Priority is given to establishments located in cities hosting the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris, and many others.
FTA eligibility criteria
To qualify for the Fonds Territorial d'Accessibilité, ERP facilities must meet several cumulative criteria, including :
- Less than 250 employees.
- Annual sales of less than €50 million.
- To belong to the 5th ERP category.
- Be listed in the national register of companies, among other things.
Eligible expenses and aid rates
The Territorial Accessibility Fund covers various expenses, including :
- Dedicated equipmentAccessibility workProject management assistance (engineering) The French government will finance up to 50% of the cost of equipment and accessibility work, with a ceiling of 20,000 euros. What's more, the government will cover 50% of the cost of diagnostics and project assistance, up to a maximum of 500 euros.
How to submit your application
You can submit your application on the Agence de services et de paiement (ASP) website from November 2, 2023. For small jobs, prepare your information, create your file and submit it online. For major works, fill in Cerfa form n°13824*04, hand in your application at the town hall and submit it online.
Conclusion
The Fonds Territorial d'Accessibilité (FTA) offers a unique opportunity for 5th category private ERP to benefit from financial support to make their establishments accessible to all. For more information on the types of establishments concerned, eligible expenses and the application procedure, visit the official FTA website: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/laccessibilite-des-etablissements-recevant-du-public-erp