CO PRODUCING A DIFFERENT ECONOMY

We organised a “world café” on co-production and co-operativism, in other words new alternative economic models that people can develop in their communities. The discussion at this “world café” explored how given governments were unwilling to create better conditions for people’s working conditions, local communities need to develop their sources of power and production of resources. owever, the alternative people-powered economic models are all very different and they have been around for many years. They are now in the spotlight because of the economic crisis, but the last time they were en vogue in the 60s they were defeated. As it’s likely, there may be another financial crisis; these models will become even more of a necessity. So how do we embed these models before they get defeated again and before we have another crisis that we haven’t prepared for? The resounding conclusion was that these alternative economic models need to be social movements to be successful. So moving onto what we could together as local groups across Europe? How can we create the economy we want in a very practical way – whether it’s on the food we buy, the spaces we live in or the public services we use – to develop our own sources of power?

• Co-produce handbooks on how to create economic models so we can share them amongst cities
• Start developing social franchising models which can work across different countries

Do we need to mobilise people’s energy and time or do we actually need money and legislation to develop and sustain these models?

• Research what different models exist and what would get people involved to develop these models – individual motivations and the different experiences and motivations from different cultures
• Connect this research with stories of successful examples as a way of introducing these models to people in the local groups

So tell us what you think and if you’d like to get involved in any one or more of these!