🗺️4. Solidarity Economy Ecosystem Mapping Project

While composing this concept, NEC published the Solidarity Economy Funding Library, which this Mapping Project would seamlessly complement.

Objective

To create a comprehensive map of the solidarity economy ecosystem across the U.S., identifying key actors, resources, and gaps, to better understand the landscape, facilitate connections, and guide NEC's strategic initiatives.

1. Project Scope and Design

• Action: Define the scope of the ecosystem mapping to include various solidarity economy entities like cooperatives, community land trusts, social enterprises, and supportive organizations and networks.

• Purpose: To ensure a thorough and inclusive representation of the solidarity economy landscape.

2. Data Collection and Research

• Action: Develop a methodology for collecting data, which may include surveys, interviews, and secondary research, to gather information on the entities within the solidarity economy.

• Purpose: To obtain accurate and comprehensive data on the size, scope, activities, challenges, and opportunities within the ecosystem.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Action: Engage with key stakeholders, including NEC members, solidarity economy practitioners, and regional networks, to gather insights and validate data.

• Purpose: To ensure the mapping project is collaborative, participatory, and reflective of the community’s knowledge and experience.

4. Mapping and Analysis

• Action: Utilize GIS tools and other mapping software to visually represent the data, highlighting connections, clusters, and gaps in the ecosystem.

• Purpose: To create a user-friendly and interactive map that provides valuable insights into the solidarity economy’s distribution, strengths, and areas for development.

5. Development of Strategic Insights

• Action: Analyze the mapped data to identify trends, opportunities for collaboration, and strategic intervention points for NEC’s support and advocacy.

• Purpose: To inform NEC’s strategic planning and program development, ensuring that efforts are targeted and effective.

6. Dissemination and Utilization

• Action: Share the ecosystem map and accompanying analysis with NEC members and the broader community through reports, presentations, and an online interactive platform.

• Purpose: To make the information accessible and useful for strategic planning, networking, and advocacy efforts within the solidarity economy movement.

7. Ongoing Updates and Expansion

• Action: Establish a process for regularly updating the map and expanding it to include new developments and entities within the solidarity economy.

• Purpose: To ensure the ecosystem map remains current, relevant, and continues to serve as a valuable resource for the NEC community and the broader movement.

Implementation Timeline and Milestones

• ~6 months: Conduct initial planning, stakeholder engagement, and start data collection.

• ~3 months: Continue data collection and begin mapping and analysis.

• ~3 months: Finalize the map and strategic insights, and prepare for dissemination.

• ~3 months: Launch the ecosystem map, initiate dissemination activities, and establish the update process.

Evaluation and Success Metrics

• Completion of a usable and comprehensive ecosystem map covering key solidarity economy entities across the U.S.

• Positive feedback from stakeholders on the usefulness and accuracy of the map.

• Utilization of the map in strategic planning, networking, and advocacy by NEC and its members.

• Regular updates and expansions to the map, reflecting changes and growth in the ecosystem.