"The idea at the heart of the Big Society is a very simple one: that real change can't come from government alone. We're only going to make life better for everyone in this country if everyone plays their part - if change in our economy and our society is driven from the bottom up."

Compendium for the Civic Economy by the London-based research and design bureau Architecture 00:/ presents 25 cases on how we can envision the future, create a new form of economy, and organise society in the UK and elsewhere.

In the context of a global financial crisis as well as complex social issues and environmental change, a growing and diverse number of change-makers are already working towards a different economy. Through organisation, connection with people and use of the best approach to collaborative investment, an alternative economic platform is on the horizon. Compendium for the Civic Economy contains 25 case studies showing how the civic economy - combining the spirit of entrepreneurship with the aspiration of civic renewal - actively contributes to community resilience, everyday innovation and shared prosperity. From local food growing projects to sustainable supermarkets, community waste-to-energy plants to cooperative telecoms services, these initiatives are having a tangible impact on the social and economic realities in cities, villages and towns.

The book advocates that people should not wait for the government to solve the crisis, but instead play an active role in facilitating the ventures presented here. It is truly an inspirational read for entrepreneurs, activists, policy makers and anyone who is concerned with community empowerment and ways to withstand the consequences of deep socio-economic and environmental crisis. Flipping through the pages, you can find what the fertile conditions are for this new economy to thrive and how to turn ideas into practice.

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Table of Contents

Prefact by NESTA and Design Council CABE
Foreword by the Prime Minister

Introduction
Introducing the civic economy