People's Economy Movement Building
Imagine an economy that serves people, instead of people serving the economy. Where community and worker-owned businesses meet local needs. Where the government is driven by participation instead of partisan politics. Where investing means closing the racial wealth gap instead of making the rich richer.
Achieving this vision will take all of us.
How We're Building the People's Economy Movement
None of us can advance a solidarity economy alone. The solidarity economy needs community leaders and community-led organizations of all kinds, business owners, workers and consumers, activists, artists, governments, funders, and more. There’s a place for everyone in this movement.
To grow the people’s economy movement, People’s Economy Lab is building connections, learning, and practice through events, education, and communications.
Join the People's Economy Lab Network
Become a part of the movement. Sign up for our email list to hear about upcoming events, PEL research and reports, and other opportunities to get involved.
Examples of our Movement Building Work
Economics for Emancipation King County, 2024
In 2024, we’re facilitating an interactive popular education style learning series based on the Economics for Emancipation curriculum with a cohort of 20 participants from BIPOC-led community organizations, businesses, finance, the arts, government, foundations, and more. We’re covering topics ranging from the basics of economies to Indigenous economics to participatory democracy. Our goal is to bring more people into the solidarity economy movement and continue to build our network of relationships to support this work.
New Economy Washington Frontline Community Fellowship, 2020-2022
In partnership with Front and Centered, and funded by Communities of Opportunity, the New Economy Washington (NEW) Frontline Community Fellowship program supported entrepreneurs from Black, Indigenous, and communities of color who were integrating the principles and practice of a Just Transition. Each fellowship project aimed to have a community impact; demonstrated core principles of democracy and self-determination, environmental sustainability, and equity; and created shared economic well-being for communities. Fellows participated in a Just Transition curriculum and were supported by grants and technical assistance.
Washington Just Transition Strategy Summit, 2021
We hosted the Washington Just Transition Summit with Front and Centered in 2021, offering communities across Washington State the opportunity to explore and discuss Just Transition strategies and actions together. We invited speakers from national organizations, including Mateo Nube from Movement Generation, as well as hearing from local solidarity economy practitioners.
Mapping a Just Transition in Seattle
In 2020-2021, we convened a group of BIPOC community leaders in the Seattle Metro area. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we met on Zoom. Together, we mapped the wicked problem of the extractive economy, identified points where we saw opportunities to intervene, and collaborated on a future vision of our economy.
In many ways, this mapping project has guided People’s Economy Lab’s work over the last few years.
New Economy Washington Funders Collaborative
PEL facilitates a group of funders who are learning about economic systems change for social justice and sustainability. Together, we explore how each funder can drive transformational systems change using the full spectrum of capital available to them, including investment portfolios, philanthropic funding, and other economic activities. In particular, we encourage them to support local community-identified projects that are ready to contribute to a solidarity economy.
