This week we’re talking about the growing climate emergency, youth building solidarity and worker power, strategies for a cooperative food system, the 10-year anniversary of the Rojava Revolution, mutual aid in Ukraine, an introduction to solidarity economies with Julia Ho & Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, and more.
PS: Enjoy the New Economy Roundup? Become a member of our Solidarity Circle for $5/month to help strengthen our grassroots funding base and keep the Roundup going strong! Join by July 31st, and get a Creative Wildfire sticker pack as a thank you.
Youth Co-op Power: At the end of 2020, six high school students in the post-industrial city of Worcester, MA saw unmet needs in their community and started Worcester Youth Cooperatives (WYC) in response. Since then, WYC has incubated multiple cooperative businesses and mutual aid projects – including a hydroponic farming co-op, a bike delivery co-op, and a community free fridge. See how youth are building solidarity and worker ownership in this award-winning short film about NEC member org Worcester Youth Cooperatives.
Growing Cooperative Food Systems: As the industrial food system continues to fail people and the planet, communities all over are building cooperative alternatives – from Black-run community gardens in NOLA, to community food hubs in Brooklyn, to open-source tractors, to Krogers to union co-op conversions. Read about how all these strategies can work together to build the cooperative food movement, in this feature with NEC member organization the COFED.
Rojava 10-years Later: This week, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the start of the Rojava Revolution, when people in Northeast Syria declared their autonomy from the central government, instead attempting to create a feminist, deepy democratic, and ecological society in the region. Read more about the principles and practices of the Rojava Revolution, and how women-led co-ops form a major pillar of their vision for liberation.
Solidarity Economy in Latin America: Earlier this year, students at University of Virginia produced a 10-part video/podcast series about solidarity economies across Latin America. Check out the whole series — in particular we love these episodes about Regional Mexican Music & Solidarity Economies and Mental Health Cooperatives in Argentina.
Wartime Mutual Aid in Ukraine: Since the start of the war in Ukraine, thousands of people have been killed, millions displaced, and the effects have rippled out globally. Check out the latest episode of The Response podcast to hear how Ukrainian people have come together to meet each others’ basic needs, survive the war, and fight for their autonomy.
- Beyond Platform Cooperatives: Worker-Owned Platforms in Brazil
- Can Cooperative Land Ownership Enable Transformative Climate Adaptation for Manufactured Housing Communities?
- Defining Solidarity Principles
- How Colombian women decriminalized abortion
- Mutual Aid Groups That Arose During COVID Gather to Build Power Regionally
- Tax the Rich Protesters Descend on the Hamptons
- This Detroit neighborhood is using the community land trust model to help ensure affordable housing
- This Southern Appalachian town uses co-ops to build new communities around old industries
PODCASTS
- An introduction to Solidarity Economies – Hear Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard and NEC board member Julia Ho discuss how solidarity economies can help us navigate through collective crises while we build towards a more just world.
- Stories from Home: Energy Democracy & Just Transition Solutions to Climate Change – Podcast by Climate Justice Alliance
BOOKS
- This Book Will Save the Planet: A Climate-Justice Primer for Activists and Changemakers , by Dani Sigwalt of NEC member org Powershift Network
Follow NEC on instagram — @neweconomycoalition — where we’re reflecting on the life and legacy of Elandria Williams and the urgency of centering access, community care, and disability justice in all of our movements.
NEW LISTINGS!
Cooperative Program Manager, Farmworker Institute of Education & Leadership Development
Interim Executive Director, Cooperative Development Institute
Massachusetts Chapter Coordinator, Sierra Club
National Organizer for Resource Development, Right to the City Alliance
Organizing Director and Senior Organizer, Community Labor United
Programs and Operations Manager, Mycelium Youth Network
Various Positions, Black Visions MN
Various Positions, WORC
Various positions, ICA Group
ALL JOBS
Advocacy and Campaigns Manager and Digital Communications Manager, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Co-op Preservation Associate, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB)
Co-Executive Director, Action Center on Race and the Economy
Communications Director, Green New Deal Network
Communications Director, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
Development Director, Shareable
Program Officer, The Climate & Clean Energy Equity Fund
Various Positions, Black Farmer Fund
Various Positions, Black Futures Lab
Various Positions, Higher Purpose Co
Various Positions, Highlander Center
Various Positions, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
Various Positions, NDN Collective
Various Positions, PolicyLink
Various Positions, PUSH Buffalo
Various Positions, UPROSE
National Worker Cooperative Conference
This year, the national Worker Co-op Conference #WCC22 will be held in person on September 9th & 10th in Philadelphia! After years of being unable to gather in person, we’re excited to remind ourselves of #WhyWeComeTogether to build power not only as workers, but as owners in the #WorkerCoop movement. (In-person, Philadelphia – September 9 & 10th)
Young Worker Conference
The Labor Network for Sustainability is holding a Young Worker Convergence in Los Angeles on September 15th-18th. Its purpose is to bring together young workers who feel that unions and union members have a crucial role to play in responding to the climate crisis. (In-person, Los Angeles – Sept 15 – 18)
Evolving and Emerging Economies Jam
This moment can offer us powerful opportunities to envision and re-imagine diverse ecosystems of economies during these troubled times. After many months of dreaming, sharing, and strengthening our relationships, we are thrilled to invite you into this powerful space of magic, joy, honesty, exploration and co-creation at the next Evolving & Emerging Economies Jam! (Sept 19-24 – Online)
Highlander Homecoming
This hybrid in-person and virtual event is an opportunity to gather with comrades, friends, and families to create and share our visions for the future story of the South. There is a new world coming and we are thrilled to be building it with you. (In-person, Tennessee – Sept 30 – Oct 2)
NASCO Institute 2022
Save the date! This year NASCO will be gathering virtually for a “season of Institute” throughout the month of October, culminating in an in-person Member Retreat on November 4-6 in Ann Arbor, MI. (October – November – Online)
Rest as Resistance Cohort Program
In this six-session program designed for Black folks and people of color, we will expand our definitions of rest, deepen our appreciation for self-care, and gain tools for protecting and augmenting our peace of mind, body, and soul. Join us in community with like-minded activists seeking both liberation and healing. (Oct 20 – Jan 2023)