The Next Economy

"It can be done. Place-based participatory regional development through economic change is possible." - Lisa Lumsden, The Next Economy Recently, we hosted the second international webinar in a three-part series with The European Commission's Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition (CRiT) and The Next Economy, an Australian NGO supporting economic transition toward a clean energy future. 🌎 Led by our co-founder and CEO, Heidi Binko, the session delved into "Building Local Capacity to Scale Transformational Just Transition Projects." We heard inspiring case studies from: 🇺🇸 Brandon Dennison on West Virginia's ACT Now Coalition 🇵🇱 Przemyslaw Piechocki on Wielkopolska Social Economy Support Center in Poland 🇦🇺 Lisa Lumsden on Gladstone's Ten Year Roadmap in Australia With global representation, participants shared experiences, key challenges, and lessons learned in their transitioning communities. By adopting a bottom-up, locally-led approach and supporting champions of change, we're finding sustainable paths to resilience and lasting transformation all over the world. 💪 Stay tuned for the final workshop in this series later this summer! #JustTransition #EconomicDevelopment #CoalTransition #InternationalTransition

📣 There's still four days left to register your interest for the Community Partner Program. We've already had some fantastic interest from rural and regional councils and organisations across Australia who want support to manage the energy transition. Details ⬇⬇⬇

"You can absolutely disagree with the energy transition. You can absolutely not want wind farms. But you cannot deny the rest of the community the opportunity that this would bring." That's Alison M.cLean, Economic Development Officer of Hay Shire Council. Hay is developing a 10-year roadmap to navigate all the renewables developments on the way, focusing on resilience, in collaboration with Carrathool Shire Council, The Next Economy and The Australian Resilience Centre. Hay has set terms of engagement with developers and their message is clear: this happens *with* the community, not *to* it. "Don't treat us like a bunch of hicks, because we're much better organised than that and we're much smarter than that." Hay hopes renewables will allow them to make generational change, in the form of things like mechanisms to drought-and flood-proof their businesses, access to wholesale solar and battery technology for energy self-sufficiency and better housing. 📷: Farmpix Photography

It was such a pleasure to present a keynote address about ‘Wellbeing Economies’ at the ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education Conference in Sydney last week. Check out a few of my prezzo images below- particularly the Max-Neef ‘Fundamental Human Needs’ image. How well do you think our economy is meeting those needs? Thanks to Dr J.R. Baker and ASPIRE Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education. You guys are doing such important work.

There’s still time to register your interest in the Striking a New Deal Community Partner Program. We’re looking forward to supporting and resourcing a community in the move to renewable energy. More info below!

We couldn't agree more Kate Donnelly!   Community representatives from across the #Hay and #Carrathool region came together last week to explore #ideas and #opportunities to strengthen resilience and the region's capacity to thrive through change and disruption! Community workshops were held as part of the Resilient Economy Roadmap project – a joint initiative of the Hay Shire Council and Carrathool Shire Council in 2024. As one Hay participant said: "Our region has an optimistic ability to accept change and drive opportunities - that is really unique!”   To read more about this exciting project check out our latest newsletter (https://lnkd.in/g29hgFnf), and if you'd like to keep up-to-date with our work, please consider signing up for all the latest TNE news at https://lnkd.in/gSyHv2ny

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Regional Communities! 🌟 Does your community want to drive better outcomes from renewable energy and infrastructure projects in your area? Striking a New Deal (SaND) is launching a 🌐Community Partner Program🌐 to support a rural or regional council, organisation to manage the energy transition. 📅 Timeline:  Expressions of Interest: 👉 By 19 July 2024 Invitation to Apply: 👉 By 26 July 2024 Interviews: 👉 Early August 2024 Project Duration: 👉 August 2024 to August 2025 🌼 Benefits for Your Community: 🟢 Co-designed with you to address immediate, long-term needs 🟢 Resources for engagement activities and negotiations 🟢 Insights from a national network of community leaders, experts 🟢 Connections with decision-makers in industry and government 🟢 Capacity building and learning opportunities Register now! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gEFTBx2c  SaND is a joint initiative of nonprofits, The Next Economy, Re-Alliance, and the FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal), in partnership with ProjectsJSA. #RenewableEnergy #CommunityDevelopment #RegionalAustralia

I'll be discussing some emerging state and national approaches to 'social license for renewables development' next week when I present at the South Australian Energy Developments Conference, colocated with the 8th Australian Hydrogen Conference. I'll be reflecting on my research in the Upper Spencer Gulf, (soon to be published) and the amazing work The Next Economy has and is doing in this space. Hope to see you there. And if not, reach out for a chat, this stuff is my passion! Informa Australia #SAEnergy2024

Last week, we co-hosted an international workshop with The European Commission's Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition (CRiT) and The Next Economy, an Australian NGO supporting economic transition toward a clean energy future. 💻 This workshop marked the first in a three-part series designed to unite practitioners from coal regions in the US, EU, and Australia to exchange insights and best practices. The inaugural session focused on the theme: Building Resilience in Transitioning Coal Regions to Safeguard Against External Risks and Uncertainties, and our CEO and Co-Founder Heidi Binko was one of the featured speakers. Transitioning coal communities are confronted with numerous external challenges, such as political volatility, inconsistent policy and financing support, and conflicting narratives about the transition process that can hinder community buy-in. Despite these challenges, workshop participants highlighted several optimistic strategies, including the efficacy of community-driven economic development, collaborative governance models that elevate local leaders, and the benefits of international cooperation that foster idea-sharing. Stay tuned for more from our upcoming workshops, where we'll explore these challenges and uncover transformative solutions to support sustainable and equitable transitions in communities around the world. #JustTransition #EconomicDevelopment #CoalTransition #InternationalTransition