What are SOLARIS cells for?

• So that everyone can turn to a clearly identified local support.
• To be able to mobilize collective forces within acceptable timeframes.
• To identify resource persons with skills and/or equipment that can provide assistance depending on the situation.
• To support sovereignty and self-sufficiency in the needs of territory members if there were a complete failure of state services.
• To work concretely and without delay towards relocating social functioning in all its aspects, within a horizontal and caring system.

Creating a cell is essential to establish the local network with all SOLARIS network members. The goal is to have as many cells as possible to best cover the territory and make the mutual aid network more effective.

Differences between local cells and coordination cells

THE LOCAL CELL is the heart of the network. It is human-sized, and this is where field operations are conducted.

A local cell will eventually need 3 coordinators to link with neighboring cells and across the network; as well as 3 referents who will maintain a directory and connect people to address each request.

The priority in deploying the network is to start as many cells as possible, even if they must be small. If the situation were to worsen, people will come to the network on their own. In such a situation, if there is already a cell within their village, this base of mutual aid and access to the network will be lifesaving.

For the local cell to function organically, it must be human-sized and consist of people in close proximity who can reach each other, even on foot, in case of service disruption, relatively quickly.

A small size is also a guarantee of increased trust and solidarity. It is easier and more natural to share and make resources available in one's neighborhood than in a large city, which is more impersonal and naturally leads to a more individualistic culture.

In urban areas, the recommendation for creating a local cell is to define a neighborhood ranging from 2 to 10 km².

In rural areas, since density is lower and housing is more spread out, the recommendation can range from 10 to 50 km².

Join your cell.