From a neo-institutionalist perspective, this article analyses the impact of the current restructuring of voluntary organisations, in particular on their practices and plans. The authors examine the consequences of the growing consolidation of organisations for their political dimension and characteristic democratic governance. While the constraints on voluntary organisations are often highlighted by practitioners and academic research, the article shows that, paradoxically, consolidation can revitalize and reaffirm their socio-political dimension. The authors base their findings on case studies in the PACA and Languedoc-Roussillon regions.