Opportunities for all

"'Unpaid work (parenting, growing food for family and community needs, maintaining households, volunteering in community service, do-it-yourself home and community construction, and repair projects) is estimated as some 50 % of all production in OECD countries and 60 to 65 percent in developing countries.' Hazel Henderson"

Action Ideas

 * Local Exchange Trading Systems
 * Timebanks, Time based money
 * Co-operatives
 * Credit Unions
 * Teleworking clubs
 * Social enterprise

Why it matters
A sustainable community provides economic opportunities for all. Opportunity can be encouraged through a variety of approaches, not just by traditional means. Social inclusion involves economic inclusion.

Related topics

 * Ethical finance
 * Community & voluntary action

Europe
Reference
 * LA21 and employment - ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability have produced a free introductory training module "Local Agenda 21, Sustainable Development and Employment", which although aimed mainly at local authority staff, may also be of interest to community activists. It can be accessed via the ICLEI in Europe website

News UK

 * Friday, June 16 2006 - Poverty and complicated benefit system main reasons for informal low-paid work, says JRF Report. JRF press release

Comment

 * New Start editorial March 7 2007 - There are times when the advent of 24 hour news seems as helpful as a mobile phone weighed down with all manner of gadgetry.
 * New Start editorial March 1 2006 - So there is to be a cabinet minister for social exclusion. Hang out the bunting. Prepare the street parties. Let the disadvantaged celebrate with a display of choreographed forelock-tugging.

Resources

 * Co-production by people outside paid employment, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Findings, June 2006 - Ref 0356. new economics foundation news

UK links

 * Community Action Network (CAN) Mutual learning and support network for social entrepreneurs
 * Inclusion Website of the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
 * LetsLink UK
 * Time Banks UK
 * Social Enterprise Coalition
 * Co-op online
 * Telework Association
 * Upstart Workers co-op helping to start up and support social enterprises. Website includes briefings and resources.

External links checked Philralph 09:38, 18 March 2006 (UTC)