Projects and Campaigns

Everyone knows there’s a housing crisis – but what if we told you that anyone could have an affordable, ecological home, as part of a community of like minded neighbours, without needing a landlord, a deposit or planning permission? Housing co-operatives could be the answer.

Get in touch if you’d like to be part of a co-housing community in Somerset! We can help you make it real, and put you in touch with inspiring examples.

Beginning with a series of workshops aimed at people wanting to know more about co-operative solutions to problems of inequality and power, we’re working towards a regular annual gathering of solidarity economy activists in the South West: a Commonweal Assembly.

Check our events page for scheduled workshops near you!

Too many businesses that we rely on are so invested in carbon-heavy assets, or unable to break out of short term thinking and climate denial. A new generation of enterprises accountable to the community and sustainable by design must take their place. Disruption starts now – and we’re bringing together the community entrepreneurs who can make it happen at events across the South West.

We want to hear from climate activists who can help us co-design ultra low carbon business models suitable for communities everywhere. Look out for seminars and workshops on out events page.

The UK is the home of the co-operative movements, and yet in one respect it is far behind many other countries: workers co-ops. Co-ops are building bikes and buses in Spain, making ceramics, cheese and robots in Italy, and glass and microelectronics in France. Worker co-ops could work here too!

We want to hear from existing businesses wanting to harness the co-operative advantage; from researchers looking to spin out new ideas as ethical businesses; and from workers who are ready to take control of their own employment. 

Why does investment seem to be so readily available for exploitative and unsustainable firms, yet in such short supply for ethical businesses that serve their communities? The long history of risk aversion and prejudice in our banking sector has to change: and it requires new lenders that are owned by and accountable to the community.

We want to work with credit union members, complementary currency activists and mutual banking pioneers to realise the potential of the wealth in our region.

Renewable energy technology is being installed in many homes to good effect, but there is a faster and more efficient way to bring it into more people’s lives: neighbourhood pipe networks that distribute heat (and other energy services) from high-performance plant to local people’s homes. It’s a natural opportunity for co-operative management, and would free us from global energy markets and profit-led energy companies.

Could your community benefit from a heat network? If you live in Taunton, do you know about the feasibility study we’ve done there?