Clarifying and Simplifying CED to Localize Prosperity (webinar recording)

Date:

4 June, 2015

BACKGROUND

Do you want a socially inclusive, redistributive, prosperous economy?

The Canadian CED Network has been following with interest developments that have been going on across the Atlantic. Perhaps most exciting for us has been the work of Localise West Midlands. Although focused primarily on the West Midlands region of the UK, their work also seeks "to catalyse ideas across the UK and to make links with and support organisations all over the world working on a similar agenda."

In recent years they have engaged in a thorough analysis of the evidence base for economic localisation and community economic development (CED), assessing the prospects for truly 'mainstreaming CED.'

With "Localising Prosperity," a new resource from Localise West Midlands, they are clearly and simply outlining the CED approach, sources of inspiration, and guidance for implementation for diverse audiences: public institutions, communities, businesses - anyone interested in making places better and sharing prosperity.

This webinar with Karen Leach explores the work that Localise West Midlands has done to change people's views of 'community economic development,' how to effectively evaluate CED activities and demonstrate impact, and to understand what strategies are working in the UK to increase the uptake of the CED approach and address prevalent social and economic challenges.

SPEAKER

Karen Leach, Coordinator at Localise West Midlands

Karen Leach has been Coordinator of Localise West Midlands (LWM) since its inception in 2002, responsible for the organisation’s strategy and delivery in conjunction with its board. Her professional interests are in economic efficiency in terms of sustainability outcomes and in economic awareness and empowerment amongst the general public. She is also on the Management Committee of Birmingham Friends of the Earth which runs environmental community centre The Warehouse, and was formerly campaigns support officer at Birmingham Friends of the Earth. LWM is a small non-profit think-tank, campaign group and consultancy with one member of staff and involving around 15 people as members and associates. It is located in Digbeth and has a West Midlands region-wide remit. LWM’s aim is to promote a more localised approach to supply chains, money flow and decision-making in order to form a more just and sustainable economy.

RESPONDENT

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Stewart Perry, Associate with the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal

Honorary lifetime member of CCEDNet, Stewart is one of the pioneers of CED in the US and Canada, as both a policy adviser and a designer and manager of CED institutions. As head of the (U.S.) Center for Community Economic Development, he helped create the first finance institution for CED, the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Authority. He helped start Canada's first community development corporation, New Dawn Enterprises, and headed the Community Economic Development Center in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. A consultant, researcher, and author, Stewart currently specializes in community and development finance as an associate with the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal.