Solidarity Economy
Well Spring Initiative
A collaborative initiative to create worker owned businesses in low-income inner city neighborhoods in Springfield, MA leveraging the joint purchasing power of local anchor institutions such as the colleges and hospitals. This project draws the experience of Cleveland’s Evergreen Cooperative and the Mondragon Cooperatives in the Basque region of Spain.
In the fall of 2010 we brought Ted Howard, one of the architects of Evergreen Cooperatives to meet with Well Spring collaborators. More info…
We are currently engaged in feasibility studies regarding business development that could supply local anchor institutions as well as serve the surrounding communities.
Past Activities
What’s the Economy For, Anyway?
An online course that begins with this provocative question and goes on to explore solidarity economy solutions. More info…
Pioneer Valley Mobilization for Another World, 2008. CPE helped to organize actions and events in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. This mobilization was part of the World Social Forum’s Global Days of Action. Throughout the world people acted to resist oppression and create another world. More info…
Solidarity Economy Map – Western Massachusetts
To see solidarity economy practices and initiatives in the Pioneer Valley, check out this interactive map: PV Solidarity Economy map
What’s the Economy For, Anyway?
Is it about achieving the fastest economic growth rate, the biggest GDP (gross domestic product), and keeping Wall St. happy? Or, should it be in the service of people and planet, promoting general social welfare, equity, social and economic democracy, and sustainability? More info…
2009 U.S. Forum on the Solidarity Economy
We helped to organize the first US Forum on the Solidarity Economy in collaboration with the Venezuela’s Universdad de los Andes and RIPESS (Intercontinental Social Solidarity Economy Network). For more info. please visit the SEN website.
