Nonprofit communication and the social and solidarity economy: giving meaning to communication

Training in nonprofit communication at EFAP

Training communicators who are able to understand these challenges and respond to them is now essential. At EFAP, communication is viewed as a strategic tool serving brands, but also as a lever for impact for committed organizations. Through her journey, Lucie embodies this vision of useful, engaged communication focused on the public interest, by putting her skills at the service of actors within the social and solidarity economy.

Meet Lucie Lansmarie, founder of the agency Sociact and EFAP Bordeaux alumna (Class of 2019)

Hello Lucie, could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?

Hello, my name is Lucie. I am an alumna of EFAP Bordeaux, Class of 2019. I work in the field of public-interest communication and, since June 2024, I have been running my own communications agency dedicated to the social and solidarity economy.

Can you tell us about your background and your choice of studies?

I joined EFAP in my third year through parallel admission, after completing a BTS in Communication. I chose EFAP for the richness of its academic path, the specialization options offered in the fifth year, and the quality of support from instructors, all of whom are active professionals. The case-based learning approach was particularly formative, allowing us to apply our knowledge, develop our creativity, and address real-world challenges.

I continued my studies through the fifth year with a specialization in Public Affairs and Influence Communication. I was fortunate to be part of the very first Bordeaux cohort to pursue this specialization, in a small group, which made the year especially enriching.

What led you to focus on public-interest communication?

After graduating, I worked for more than five years in the charitable sector, within a foundation and then a federation. These experiences allowed me to discover hands-on, useful and engaged communication, and to fully grasp the importance of communication in defending a cause and mobilizing audiences.

It is a sector where versatility is key, where one works across many different tools, and where impact is central to every action. This deeply shaped my vision of communication.

What is the origin of your entrepreneurial project?

I launched my entrepreneurial venture in June 2024. I had long felt the desire to create, to build a project with my own hands, and to put my skills at the service of committed organizations.

Creating my agency was a way to bring together my experience in the charitable sector, my specialization in public-interest communication, and my strong interest in the social and solidarity economy. Today, I support associations, cooperatives, and mission-driven companies in their communication strategies.

What types of support do you offer to SSE actors?

We work across several areas: defining communication strategies, creating content across all media, managing audience relations, and organizing events. We also offer dedicated support in advocacy, which is a key lever for associations seeking to defend a cause and influence public policies or mindsets.

The goal is to provide tailor-made support aligned with each organization’s values, challenges, and resources.

How would you define nonprofit communication?

Nonprofit communication primarily aims to generate change, action, or positive impact. While the tools are often similar to those used in commercial communication, the objective is fundamentally different. It involves defending a cause, promoting values, and mobilizing audiences around a public-interest project. Engagement is central and structures the entire message.

What role does social impact play in your entrepreneurial vision?

Social impact plays a central role in my daily entrepreneurial life and in the agency’s activities. My project was born from a strong commitment to the public interest and a desire to contribute to the social and solidarity economy.

Through the support we provide, we help our clients generate tangible positive impacts and contribute to the creation of new narratives capable of reshaping collective imaginaries toward more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible models.

What message would you like to share with students who want to start their own projects?

Above all, I would encourage them to stay curious and draw from all their experiences, both personal and professional. This is what helps build an identity and a vision. I would also advise them not to give up at the first difficulty, to believe in themselves, and to always keep in mind the purpose behind their project. That vision is what fuels day-to-day progress.

❓ FAQ – Working in nonprofit communication