Stories
Here we present stories of community enterprises and projects in which ethical concerns (environmental, social and cultural) direct the way in which business is conducted. These enterprises have in some way been connected to the Community Economies Collective and our "rethinking economy" work.
Stories from the United States
Stories from Around the World
- Alternative Currencies: A True Story
Early draft of a documentary featuring interviews with three experts in alternative currencies: Bernard Lietaer, author of The Future of Money and longtime proponent of complementary currencies, Edgar Cahn, founder of Timebanks USA, and Paul Glover, founder of Ithaca Hours. Produced by the Community Economies Research Group in Western MA.
Alternative Currencies: A True Story from Ursita Films on Vimeo.
Stories from the Philippines
- Building Social Enterprises in the Philippines
This video series showcases social enterprises created by community groups in the Philippines provinces of Surigao del Norte, Bukidnon, Bohol and Lanao del Norte. For more information contact Katherine Gibson.
This is a community based social enterprise that was developed using savings from migrant workers. The rice mill is now a integratred set of businesses that service the local community of farmers in northern Mindanao.
Rice mill workers
Coconut husk is a waste product of copra production that can clog waterways and pollute the landscape. DOCHSEi is a social enterprise that takes this husk and makes it into coco coir--a fibre that can be used in mattresses, eco-netting and handicrafts. It provides employment for over 100 workers who are landless farmers.
Coconut husks entering the decorticator
Fresh ginger is an asset in Jagna Municipality that farmers found hard to sell. This community enterprise is run by a group of women who produce ginger tea powder that has a good local market. New value is being produced and livelihoods are enhanced.
Members of the Laca enteprise sifting ginger powder
This community based social enterprise worked to create an income by making nata de coco, a delicious dessert, from coconut water. They encountered many challenges that highlight the difficulties of starting an enterprise with social as well as economic objectives.
Showing off the raw nata de coco
Stories from Australia
A community organization begun in 1999 as an outcome of the Community Partnering Project.
Working bee at the community garden
At Santa's Workshop community members learn to make outdoor Christmas decorations. This project began as an outcome of the Community Partnering Project.
10th birthday of Santa's Workshop
Stories from the United States
The North Quabbin Time Bank (Western Massachusetts, USA)
This video, "One=One: The North Quabbin Time Bank" shows a community currency project in action.
Field trip to Brisbane community garden