About Decolonising
Economics
Our goal was to work alongside – and in deep connection with – an ecosystem of organisations working towards racial and economic justice.
These relationships shaped our politics and practices of working, and we continually worked to extend and deepen our participation in each other's shared strategies.
Whether we were running workshops, events, retreats or publishing reports and political education, we remained accountable to our organising principles by continuously asking:
How can we be in a mutually supportive relationship with the traditions, cultures and practices that others in the ecosystem organise within?
In answering this question, we always turned to the Solidarity Economy Principles as a guiding framework, with the intention to work with groups and collectively strengthen the principles:
Our strategy is guided by the following principles...
We work with the belief that there exists enough between us to sustain life equitably and sustainably.
Dominant culture wants us to operate with a scarcity mindset - to compete with each other rather than work towards cooperation.
The Solidarity Economy is built on a commitment of community self provision and collective resourcing at a local, bio-regional and global level.
We work to liberate what we know is already within us, and unlearn generations of teachings that have been imposed upon us through the colonial mindset.
Because “the solidarity economy is the oldest economy in the world” it is our responsibility to integrate and encourage what we know is already possible.
We work with those we hold deep and trusting relationships with, and we work to build deep trusting relationships with others.
We believe that trust is the foundation of an aligned movement, and in trust building we begin to heal patterns of harm that are a reflection of racial capitalism and its dynamics.
The Solidarity Economy is a precursor to an economic democracy. Without a commitment to practise governance, we remain unprepared for holding collective power.
We work to build an organising infrastructure in which communities can effectively make decisions towards self determination.
We have a commitment to working ourselves out of domination culture, and moving towards collective liberation.
We give space and attention to power dynamics that reflect the systems of oppression emerging from the White Supremacist, Imperialist, Capitalist Patriarchy.
Just Transition Framework
Underpinning all of this is the Strategic Framework for a Just Transition. Since our founding in 2018, this guided how we design our programme work, and it remains a foundational framework for the work that continues after our closure.
Meet the team
Originally founded by Guppi and Nonhlanhla, DE’s team grew and evolved over the years. Here’s who’s been on the team.
Guppi she/her
Co-founder & Co-director
Nonhlanhla they/them
Co-founder & co-director
Sophie she/they
Organiser
Natasha she/her
Events producer
Roshni she/her
Comms
Grace she/her
Bespoke back-office
Raks he/him
Project manager
Annick she/her
Closure Coordinator
Kavya she/her
Comms
Cherokee they/them
Comms
Sam they/them
NE coordinator
About this website
This website was created in collaboration with amazing global majority artists, illustrators and website developers. We hold gratitude for their creativity and technical wizardry!
Kaajal Modi created our banner, delicately alchemising our favourite colours, fruits and herbs and shapes.
Jacob V Joyce created our logo inspired by the Adinkra symbol for cooperation, illustrated by two houses connected by a ladder.
Multitudes Co-Op took all these elements and helped us to design a sleek website that reflects our collaborative and creative ethos.