Foundations for the Social Economy

Abstract

At present the strategies, policies and tools employed by the social economy in most countries are diffuse. There is no integrated narrative to bring together the small parts to form a more cohesive whole. This cross-cutting project, led by Mike Lewis and Pat Conaty, is intended to review the scope and success of emergent systemic approaches in order to explore the implications for developing a new social and ecological economy at the sub-regional level. The investigation will produce a new conceptual framework for understanding the foundations for a more strategic approach by social economy actors. In the wake of the credit crunch and developing recession, the project will appraise social economy needs including equitable access to land & premises, patient capital and enabling legal structures.