Enacting grassroots economic activism through community enterprises

(Jenny Cameron)

Communities across the globe are experimenting with economic practices that address issues of social justice, economic equity and environmental wellbeing. This research focuses on one form of grassroots economic activism—community enterprises. These enterprises aim to produce direct community benefit (e.g. ‘employment’ in either paid or purposeful work, social connections, environmental outcomes), and use economic activities as a means to achieve their aims. The research investigates how community enterprises operate, what the challenges are and how these challenges are addressed by enterprises. The research is primarily being conducted through a workshop-based approach that brings together representatives from community enterprises from across Australia to collaboratively generate insights. This approach is designed to build and strengthen links between community enterprises, and produce materials for building and strengthening other community enterprises.