Sustainable Infrastructure for the Social Economy: Cluster-Based Social Enterprise Models

Abstract

This presentation was given at the 2008 symposium of the BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA). IT provided an introduction to new research being undertaken as BALTA research project D4. Many non-profits are partnering with social enterprises in common spaces to share resources that is resulting in a reduction of overhead costs and creating greater efficiencies, often referred to as co-location. Social economy organizations are moving beyond co-location by adopting a clustering approach that has resulted in dynamic centres of social change and innovation. This research project will examine the literature on clustering and a number of case studies.