Stir to Action has launched 20 webinars in partnership with Power to Change to provide free training and peer support for those playing a vital role in their local economy during and after the crisis.
Now in its second year, Stir to Action’s New Economy Programme is a national series of workshops and three-day residentials that offer capacity-building training for local communities, democratic businesses, third sector organisations, and activists.
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded and the distancing measures were put in place, Stir to Action wass been compelled to redevelop its programme and deliver the remainder of its workshops online.
Through the £15,000 partnership with Power to Change, Stir to Action announced the NEP webinars can now be offered for free for three months as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver training and support for communities.
The NEP webinar series is facilitated by activists and community leaders from 13 additional organisations from the sector with topics ranging from everyday participation and making community leadership work, to community housing raising finance and reinventing the high street: Practical Governance, Far Nearer, Loomio, Cornwall Council, Co-op Culture, New Citizenship Project, Wessex Community Assets, New Economics Foundation, The Social Change Agency, Shared Assets, Commonly, Transition Network, and Principle Six.
Jonny Gordon-Farleigh, Founding Director of Stir to Action, said: “The COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented economic disruption for communities and the democratic business sector, often working in places that bring the community together to create livelihoods, reduce isolation, and meet local needs.
“We believe that democratic ownership creates a culture of agency, self-determination, and dignity. Our work is designed to create the enabling conditions for people and communities to meaningfully participate – in many different capacities – within their own places of work and residence.”
Fergus Arkley, Development Manager at Power to Change, said: “We need to explore alternative means to help strengthen the skills and capacity of communities during the coronavirus crisis. Shifting the New Economy Programme to a digital format and including relevant topics in light of current challenges is a great opportunity to do this.
“We’re really pleased to be supporting Stir to Action, as we have for the past two years, engaging with over 50 activists and practitioners to harness the community business approach to make positive change in their community.”
Space is limited to 20 on each webinar, and to two webinars per person, so early booking is advised. See the full webinar programme and register at www.stirtoaction.com/webinars
