"At these events, and in interviews with a number of practitioners and cooperative developers, many answers came up: expanding capital options for the solidarity economy, responsive infrastructure for workers and community entrepreneurs, and a commitment to solidarity and equal exchange internationally that goes beyond what's "in sight" every day. Overwhelmingly, people also spoke about the desire for stories that connect with people to help bring them into this work."
"Emily Kawano, founder of the US Solidarity Economy Network, described it in as "a global movement for a world that centers people and the planet rather than maximizing private profit," adding that it is a blend of old and new practices-including worker and consumer cooperatives, community finance, and community land ownership. "The trick is to connect these currently atomized practices," Kawano wrote, "so they work together to transform our whole economic system.""
Fall 2025 gatherings and interviews identified major gaps in the solidarity economy: limited capital options, weak infrastructure for workers and community entrepreneurs, and an incomplete international solidarity that extends beyond everyday visibility. The solidarity economy blends practices such as worker and consumer cooperatives, community finance, and community land ownership and centers people and the planet rather than maximizing private profit. Connecting atomized practices so they operate together remains essential to transform the broader economic system. Participants emphasized the need for compelling stories to recruit new participants, increase visibility, and support policy and philanthropic efforts to scale cooperative approaches.
Read at Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
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