As a social innovator, I have for many years explored new ways to connect people and bring forth the kindness, consensus and confidence necessary for them to generate the value of collective acts of caring and take control of transforming their neighbourhoods in an inclusive and sustainable manner. In this chapter, I will review a variety of strengths-based approaches to community development and illustrate how they have created the space for in-person convivial connections and enduring relationships to grow, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

We should begin by questioning the failure of conventional economics to recognise that commerce cannot function without a sub-strata of unpaid care provided by families, neighbourhoods and communities. This sub-strata has been described as the ‘core economy’ and it runs on self-organised, decentralised, reciprocal mediums of exchange. The chapter will show how a mix of money and reciprocity might raise the value of collective action and go on to look at ways in which the relationship between the state and the community could change to strengthen the core economy and better protect tomorrow's communities. It will explore some of the personal attributes and types of approaches required for bringing in the required changes. Two case studies then demonstrate the importance of whole-system collaborations and the power of connectivity and collective action.

A more humane way to measure growth and prosperity

Conventional economics

Currently, economic planning is driven by the goal of increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP), based on a narrow measure of monetary gain. The monopolisation of money as a medium of exchange and the disparities and exclusion this creates throughout society make it imperative that we revise our understanding of growth and prosperity.

Alternative mediums of exchange such as sharing, swapping, doing favours, gifting, bartering and ‘community currencies’ are ignored by mainstream economists.