The Solidarity Economy is an alternative development framework that is grounded in practice and the in the principles of: solidarity, mutualism, and cooperation; equity in all dimensions (race/ethnicity/ nationality, class, gender, LGBTQ); social well-being over profit and the unfettered rule of the market; sustainability; social and economic democracy; and pluralism, allowing for different forms in different contexts, open to continual change and driven from the bottom-up.

Mobile Home Owners Purchase the Land Underneath their Homes! A Report on Resident Owned Communites

Sheila Dickerson, former president of Soda Brook Cooperative

"Since 1983, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (the “Loan Fund”) has been helping residents of manufactured home communities purchase the land underneath their homes. Through the fall of 2006, homeowners have purchased 82 manufactured home communities and converted them into “Resident Owned Communities” (ROCs) in New Hampshire."

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Testimony on Social Solidarity Economy Given at ILO Conference

Nancy Neamtan gave a presentation about the Solidarity Economy at the ILO in Geneva. In her report, she focuses on three points: First, conceptual or definitional questions, second a quick international overview of the scope of the emerging social economy, and third some key elements needed to maximise its potential contribution to economic recovery.
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ILO showcases cooperatives as a strategy to address climate change

 

Wind cooperatives: A powerful community model

Ranging from small-scale to multi-million dollar businesses, cooperatives employ today some 100 million women and men in both industrialized and developing countries, and have more than 800 million individual members across the globe. 'Concern for community' is one of the Cooperative Principles which guides the work of cooperatives around the world. Celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July, the 14th UN International Day of Cooperatives focuses this year on the significant contribution that cooperatives can make to mitigating climate change. In the context of climate change and food price rises, cooperatives do play a role in rural areas around the world. The following pictures highlight not only how cooperatives reduce carbon emissions, but also promote sustainable development in general.

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