REAS, Network of Networks for the Alternative and Solidarity Economy, is a group of more than 500 entities from smaller territorial and sectoral networks within the Spanish State. REAS was created to offer alternatives to the dehumanization of the economy, the degradation of the environment, and the loss of social values.
The increase in poverty and social inequality, social and economic exclusion, unemployment and precarious work are problems that pose challenges and demand responses. This is why REAS promotes the Solidarity Economy, their instrument for creating a more just, solidarity-based, sustainable and engaged society.
REAS’ main goal is to enable another way to focus and manage the economy. REAS believes that it is time to stop suffering from decisions taken by others and to rise up and put humanity at the core of our economies. Find out more about REAS on their website.
Isabel Marlens is a Special Projects Coordinator for Local Futures. She studied Ecology and English Literature at Bennington College, has a Permaculture Design Certificate from Quail Springs Permaculture, and has done native plant conservation and education, forest ecology research, and research and writing for various documentary film and online publications in the areas of social and environmental justice.
Matt Cropp has an MA in history from the University of Vermont, where he focused on the history of the credit union movement. He currently works as Co-Executive Director of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, serves as chair of the Vermont Solidarity Investing Club (which invests exclusively in co-ops), and is involved with a number of co-op start-up and cross-sector initiatives including Full Barrel Co-op, social.coop, and Cooperative Vermont. He lives in Burlington, VT.
Peter Harris is the Founder and CEO of Resonate, a streaming music cooperative.