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Mutual-Aid & Self-Help Groups

Groups or organizations that are dedicated to building and maintaining relationships of mutual aid and support between and among their members.

August 14, 2025

Why We Need a Solidarity Economy Now

What happens when our communities are torn apart by toxic inequality, political fragmentation and declining social trust? The solution may lie in something that humans have been doing throughout our existence: taking care of each other, often without realizing it. Today that’s what some of us call the “solidarity economy.” 

August 7, 2025

The Role of Solidarity Finance in Sustainable Local Development in Ecuador

This study explores the role of solidarity finance in promoting local development and the empowerment of marginalized communities through financial inclusion and access to community credits. It focuses on how solidarity-based financial mechanisms provide accessible credit with fewer barriers, fostering productive activities and economic resilience.

May 5, 2025

“No Tariffs on Sharing”

For a sliding scale fee, members of the cooperatively-run library have access to a catalogue of about 1,630 items that have been amassed over the past four or so years through donations.

April 7, 2025

Beyond Community Currencies

Ekhilur, a nonprofit citizen cooperative, is pioneering an innovative approach to strengthening the local economy. Instead of creating a new currency, it operates its own payment system — regulated by the Bank of Spain — to maximize the circulation of the existing euro within the community for as long as possible.

March 24, 2025

What the World can Learn from Radical Queer Aid Collectives in East Africa

Since their inception, The Trans and Queer Fund and UmaUma Buy Nothing group, both based in Kenya, and an untitled queer collective in Uganda have organised themselves to be independent from foreign donors, which they say do not understand the realities of the communities they serve.

March 20, 2025

Building and Sustaining Projects with Stephanie Rearick and Julian Rose

In this session, Stephanie Rearick of Humans United in Mutual Aid Networks discusses getting started on projects and Julian Rose of Endstate ATL and New Economy Coalition discusses key considerations for sustainability, including governance, power, conflict, and more. 

January 2, 2025

Grassroots Disaster Relief in Asheville

On Saturday Sept. 28, the day after the storm, about 40 people gathered outside the store for the first community meeting, where they set up tables to distribute food and supplies. Everyone agreed they would keep doing this every day, and Sunday’s meeting drew at least 100 people.

December 23, 2024

How to Start a Free Store in Your Community

If you are moved by the abundance of waste in your neighborhood, are concerned about your neighbors in need, are a fan of building and strengthening community, want to take action to reject capitalism, or just enjoy the mystery of seeing colorful displays of random items, each with a story, you’re not alone! And that’s great news because teamwork is the dreamwork for creating a free store or neighborhood sharing hub. Free stores are an extension of the gift economy, where all items are available to anyone at no charge. 

November 18, 2024

What Mutual Aid Groups Are Doing to Help North Carolina’s Hurricane Survivors

While residents of those regions waited for assistance, community members and grassroots organizations stepped in.

October 10, 2024

Nebula: A Community Centered Approach to Domestic Violence

Nebula describes itself as a group that supports “survivors of battering, SA, IPV & DV with community & physical resources in crisis & in their empowerment”. They also “ assist neighbors & mutual aid groups learning how to build liberatory practices in their groups.”