Solidarity Economies

How can we rethink wealth, success, and value through a collectivised lens? How do we create and sustain networks for mutual aid? What models can we learn from in reimagining our conceptual and material relationship to “investment”?

These are the kinds of questions we would like to explore in the Solidarity Economies track. The economy is generally understood as the state and flow of money. We’re often told to take care of “the economy”–to make sacrifices–to work long and hard. “The economy” is what determines worth–and yet, time and time again we see that this system only benefits a small elite, where people and natural ecosystems are exploitable, where care for one another becomes an unnecessary “strain”. Why is it then, that we have to spend our lives working for something that doesn’t work for us?

Events in recent years such as the COVID-19 pandemic have made it quite clear that new economic models and narratives are needed in order to prioritise wellbeing, solidarity, and the sustainability of our natural surroundings. We must work towards alternatives that centre care, justice, and mutual aid.

This track aims to reimagine investments and value as concepts that include, but also go beyond the financial realm. In essence: What might the future look like if our economy was grounded in intersectional feminist values such as care, equity, and embodiment?

The partner organisation for this track is Flexwerker, read more of their work by clicking here

The external mentor is Emma Holten. Click here to read more about her.