This month, we’re talking about the brewing nationwide general strike, AI provocations, collective responsibility to land and water, community ownership models, “water bankruptcy,” and Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan.
The New Economy Roundup is inspired by the leadership of communities who have always built solidarity economies from a place of vision, creativity, and survival. This Black History Month, you can directly support Black-led solidarity economy programs at NEC by becoming a month donor.
Can we count on you to fund Black Solidarity Economy Pathways at NEC?
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Moving Toward a General Strike: It might feel difficult to participate in a strike– especially when there’s little time to prepare or you don’t know where to begin. Yet, mass economic change has come from bold people willing to challenge business as usual. From the upcoming rent strike in Minneapolis against ICE abductions and occupation to the ongoing Free Alabama Movement, people are reclaiming their labor to oppose authoritarianism. United Auto Workers President, Shawn Fain, is calling every worker in the United States to take part in a General Strike on May Day in 2028. What would it take to make this strategy possible for you? Learn more about what it’ll take to participate here.
Afrofuturist AI Analysis: Across the world, people are fighting off data centers from stealing their drinking water, polluting the air, and raising utility bills, all while corporations use endless capital to search for a new backyard— not even the trillion dollar market wipeout could stop their pursuit. However, some activists argue that we can’t relinquish the possibility of a sustainable model to technocrats. Dive into their arguments in favor of an Afrofuturist vision for AI.
How to Buy Back the Block: Ordinary people across the country from local entrepreneurs, journalists and garment workers to single mothers and neighbors are deploying community ownership models to reclaim spaces where they were once counted out. These moves to establish community-owned spaces are part of a nationwide movement to gather for connection and democracy-building opportunities “because when chaos is the strategy, connection is resistance.” Support NEC member, Motherful, to raise $1 million for their eco-village providing affordable housing and commercial space to single-mother families. Get access grants andnon-extractive funding vehicles to make your ideas a reality by subscribing to the New Economy Funding Roundup.
STORIES FROM ABROAD
A protester shows a sign that reads “Mother water transports life, not capitalism” during a demonstration at Cargill’s offices in support of Indigenous groups who have been blocking truck traffic for several days at the entrance of Cargill’s Santarem terminal in northern Brazil, protesting against plans to dredge the Tapajos river and move more grains like soy and corn destined for export markets, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Jean Carniel
Indigenous Solutions in the Amazon: After days of Indigenous-led protests against corporate farming, the Brazilian government agreed to repeal decree 1260. The legislation removed three rivers from protected status, permitting greenwashed agricultural companies to dredge waterways for extractive production. No matter how it’s marketed, the activities displace and kill the wildlife and human communities it feeds and connects. As the world enters an era of “water bankruptcy” alongside climate change, legislation that commodifies our lifesource for management and sale is not “hydrologic” its genocide. Learn more about their win from Amazon Watch.
The Sudanese Spirit of Nafeer: Despite a three month dip in media coverage on Sudan, Emergency Response Rooms remain functional across 18 states and the genocidal horrors persist. Rooted in the Sudanese concept of Nafeer, a community-based call to action for mutual aid and radical trust, ERRs are still running communal kitchens, providing medical care, repairing water and electricity lines, and evacuating civilians. The counter-revolutionary war is not over, stand in solidarity today by uplifting Sudanese solutions, adhering to boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against the United Arab Emirates, and making a contribution to any of these verified campaigns.
Let Cuba Live: Earlier this month, Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that 38% of the country’s daytime electricity now comes from solar power. Despite the ongoing blockade and financial difficulties, Cuba has been expanding its renewable energy capacity, adding wind farms and accelerating solar development. With key financial support from China to expand solar energy and the “Let Cuba Live” campaign, international solidarity is making sure Cubans can keep the lights on. You can pitch in to keep hospitals running by making a donation to the Let Cuba Live campaign.
MOVEMENT NEWS
As Trump builds up to attack Iran, the Dem establishment—again—shows its support with silence
Black Women’s Unemployment Has Skyrocketed. Here’s What Happened.
Can the Courtroom Save the Climate?
Cop watchers take on ICE and Border Patrol
DNC under fire for hiding autopsy report on 2024 election
Iran’s Indigenous Labor Movement and Working Class Sovereignty
Navigating Conflict in Movement Spaces
US-backed killing of cartel boss unleashes wave of violence across Mexico
We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps
FEATURES
Did you know that the Underground Railroad was a mutual aid network powered by Black American fraternal orders and secret societies? Download this resource list to learn how these formations enabled each other to free themselves, reunite with family, provide healthcare and life insurance, create dignified work, and launch the First Cooperative Era despite enslavement and Jim Crow– the foundations of U.S. authoritarianism.
RESOURCE LIBRARY
AUDIO/VISUAL
Prosperity for whom? Lessons from New York City’s Battles Over Economic Justice | Wellbeing Economy Alliance
We Don’t Do Business with I.C.E. Storefront Graphic | New Economy Coalition
Collaborate to Co-Liberate: Self-Paced Learning Journey | Sustainable Economies Law Center
“It’s Still a Genocide”: Poet Mosab Abu Toha on Reality of “Ceasefire” in Gaza | Democracy Now!
WRITTEN
Black Employee Ownership Research Report | Project Equity
State of the Sector | Democracy at Work Institute & U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperative
Workplace Democracy and Deep Democracy | Vishwas Satgar & Michelle Williams
Derailed: Rising Attacks and Retreating Resources for Racial Justice | Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
JOBS
Chicago Black Movement & Solidarity Economy Exploration Consultant, Black Liberation x Solidarity Economy
Communications Director, Othering & Belonging Institute
Communications Manager, The IMEU
Controller, Proteus Fund
Director of Audience and Marketing, Rewire News Group
Grant Writer, Youth Build Global
Graphic Design & Digital Content Associate, Sudanese Diaspora Network
New Program Director, Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership (IWIL)
Program Manager Associate, Movement Lab
Senior Staff Attorney, Litigation Team, Transgender Law Center
Tech Collaborator, Beautiful Trouble
William Rivers Pitt Fellowship for Emerging Writers, Truthout
If you’re hiring, consider submitting to The Roundup.
For more opportunities, check out this job board from NEC member Post Growth Institute and this one from the U.S. Federation of Worker Co-ops!
EVENTS
Seeds for Liberation Documentary Screening
The new documentary from Director Matthew Solomon (“Reimagining Safety”) & Executive Producers Alana Hadid and Donna Hadjikhani (“Reimagining Safety”), highlights the Free Palestine movement and its connections to Black, Chicano, and collective liberation. Featuring some of the biggest names in the movement, from Palestine to Stop Cop City, “Seeds for Liberation” is both powerful and inspiring, spanning decades of solidarity and culminating in reflections on what liberation and a free Palestine truly mean. (Feb 27 – Atlanta, GA)
“Contest” in the Housing Sector: How Grassroots Campaigns & Funders/Investors Challenge Corporate Power to Win Transformative Solutions
The Movement Finance Forum is excited to offer an interactive two-part series for Movement Finance Forum participants and members of the convening networks* to explore the importance of challenging capital forces (aka “contest” in the divest/contest/invest framework) in advancing housing justice. The sessions will help grassroots organizers, funders, donors, investors and other practitioners to: identify the capital forces (private equity firms, data providers, etc) we’re up against in the housing industry; understand how we challenge them through examples of inspiring campaigns led by grassroots partners; and integrate what we learn into practices and tools we can use that create the conditions for transformative housing solutions (community control, social housing, land back, etc) at the scale we need. (Mar 17 and Apr 27 – Virtual)
Bold & Safe
The Bold & Safe program is returning for our Spring semester (April 14 – June 23). Are you looking to level up your operations to support your 2026 advocacy work? Then you don’t want to miss out on this upcoming program! The course is designed to support multi-entity organizations like yours by strengthening their operations, compliance, and finance skills, and building the teams, systems, and practices required to meet this moment. Apply today. (Mar 16 – Application Deadline)
2nd Annual Shaping Change Facilitator Festival
The Shaping Change Facilitator Festival returns for its second year as a gathering for facilitators, organizers, cooperative builders, and community leaders committed to strengthening Chicago’s solidarity economy ecosystem. Activities include an offers and needs market, keynote conversation, and a Rotating Credit Club. Come ready to share, ask, commit, and build. (Mar 21 – Chicago, IL)
Resilient Movements Legal Cafe
Join the Sustainable Economies Law Center for a legal advice clinic for grassroots groups, nonprofits, and community organizations seeking to strengthen infrastructure resilience, operational continuity and preparedness, and legal compliance under increasing repression and authoritarianism. (Mar 31 – Virtual)
Solidari-Tea Time
A companion to the Sustainable Economies Law Center’s Legal Cafes, Solidari-Tea Time provides opportunities for solidarity economy movement organizations to get free advice, coaching and support with challenges you are experiencing on your organizational development journey. Building organizations that align with our values of justice, shared leadership, and participatory democracy is challenging. Bring your questions, challenges, and stumbling blocks to Solidari-Tea Time, and get support from consultants and practitioners experienced in building worker self-directed nonprofits, cooperatives, and other organizations practicing liberatory values. (Mar 26 – Virtual)
Training for Trainers
An intensive fundamentals workshop for anyone using training and group facilitation in social justice movement building. Designed for organizers, political educators, and facilitators at all experience levels, the training builds practical skills for leading groups and strengthening collective learning. (Mar 30 and Jun 5 – Virtual)
Finance Fundamentals: Financial Analysis for New Cooperatives | Cooperation Works
A virtual training offering hands-on experience assessing the feasibility of start-up cooperatives through financial analysis and modeling. Participants will build a financial workbook, learn to interpret financial statements, and conduct market research. Registration is open with an early bird discount until February 6, 2026 (Mar 10–Apr 2 – Virtual).
Introduction to Story-based Strategy Trainings 2026 | Center for Story-based Strategy
Join Center for Story-based Strategy for four introductory trainings designed to strengthen radical imagination and collective power. Participants will learn to identify dominant narratives that uphold injustice, envision liberatory alternatives, and turn stories into lasting political power. These trainings are designed for organizers and cultural movement workers, but all are welcome to apply (Mar 31, Apr 16, May 7, and Jun 4 – Virtual).
Designing with Artists and Aunties
Join Cities@Tufts for a virtual conversation with Emma Osore, Executive Director of BlackSpace, exploring how community cultural leaders can shape more just and resilient neighborhoods. (Apr 8 – Virtual)
Co-operative Identity and Energizing the Co-operative Brand
Building on the momentum of the second United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (2025), this international symposium invites leaders, innovators, practitioners, and researchers to share ideas that strengthen the co-operative sector’s identity, reputation, and engagement. Grounded in co-operative identity, the symposium will explore brand image and its intersections with marketing, communications, and organizational culture — creating space for dialogue, insight-sharing, and collective action. We look forward to your ideas and to building this conversation together! Co organized by: International Centre for Co-operative Management, DotCoop, and the Northwest Cooperative Development Center. (May 19-21 – Virtual)