Building a more just and sustainable economy often feels like an uphill battle, with the constant struggle against unjust systems taking its toll. However, instead of fighting against these systems, there is another option: creating positive alternatives. One such approach is the concept of a “solidarity economy,” which prioritizes people and the planet over endless profit and growth.
The solidarity economy movement encompasses a wide range of practices, from Indigenous survival and sustainability methods to cooperatives, community land trusts, credit unions, peer lending, mutual aid, community-led economic development, bartering, community-supported agriculture, and fair trade products. Informal ways in which family, friends, and neighbors come together to support each other are also part of this movement.
One tangible example of the solidarity economy can be found in my rural community on a country road. Neighbors come together to help each other in times of need. When a tree falls across the road or during bad weather, people check on each other to ensure everyone is safe. Surplus produce from gardens or successful hunting trips are shared among community members. This type of mutual support and cooperation embodies the principles of the solidarity economy and offers a concrete example of how we can create a more just and sustainable economic system.