"The economic contribution of the Black and Minority Ethnic communities is undervalued and this substantial resource must be harnessed to stimulate greater economic justice. The vision of EQUANOMICS UK provides the stimulus and pivot to enable organisations to engage collaboratively in more progressive discourse on race equality in the UK. It is an exciting and challenging initiative which I welcome.� Lord Herman Ouseley
Business Plan April 09/March 10
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Contents 1 Foreword ..................................................................................................................................3 2 Vision .......................................................................................................................................5 3 Background ..............................................................................................................................7 4 Equanomics Principles ..........................................................................................................10 5 Equanomics Strategic Objectives............................................................................................11 Operational Objectives..............................................................................................................14 6 Management Structure.............................................................................................................16 7 Financing ................................................................................................................................18 8 Appendices..............................................................................................................................20
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1 Foreword
Equanomics UK is a 21st century initiative to transition from poverty to equality, from economic disadvantage to parity.
Equanomics seeks a level playing field for all
communities. Focusing on wage inequalities, international trade policies, the impact of credit, loans and debt, and the impact of poverty on social conditions such as education, employment, health and housing, Equanomics UK intends to mobilise all committed people to help us meet our long term goal of Human Rights for All, and forge a new movement and organisation for racial equality and economic justice. We have to change our politics. We must assert our status in a progressive, innovative style which celebrates our omni-possibilities and, in particular, our growing contribution to the UK’s economy. The call for a community led voice and a new and insightful focus on Equanomics. Building this new compass will be a challenge. Equanomics is not about creating a single voice; it is about enabling and empowering a diversity of voices to influence policy. With co-ordination, engagement and vision, our individual voices can come together to drive a vehicle for sustainable change.
1.1
What is Equanomics?
Equanomics projects a contemporary analysis for today's fight against structural inequality.
Distinct from cohesion and diversity, Equanomics sets forth a positive
framework for full racial equality in all social, economic, educational, and political categories.
1.2
Equanomics is an analysis
It will research and issue objective public policy analysis that objectively measures the structural inequalities (and progress toward equality) in the UK – e.g., in economics, health, criminal justice, education, employment, etc. It will produce research and public policy briefs, and a UK Equanomics Index. We look forward to the day when an ‘Equanomics’ analysis becomes a pre-requisite to policymaking, and
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when no policy or strategic direction can ever again emerge without the voices and engagement of disadvantaged communities.
1.3
Equanomics is an organisation
Equanomics-UK aspires to be the foremost third sector organisation addressing race equality in the UK from an economic perspective. It is a broad based coalition of individual activists, and myriad voluntary and community based organisations and in combining public policy research (its own, as well as from academia and think tanks) and transforming this research into social action. Currently it is a community-rooted organisation with a central national office, and envisions local Economic Action Teams in cities throughout the UK.
1.4
Equanomics is a movement
It is the "new language" for today's civil rights movement for racial equality and economic justice – i.e., the unfinished business. We need a new and different kind of politics: A variation in our approach that remains true to our principles. A new way that does not deny our roots yet is a new radar, a fresh angle, a new paradigm. A coalition strategy we believe will best advance our struggle for change, if not “equality in our lifetime.�
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Vision
2.1
The Vision
The vision for Equanomics UK is to achieve genuine race equality and economic justice by reconnecting economically and politically disenfranchised communities across the UK, presenting an economic analysis of discrimination, and growing a movement that will change the UK’s language and approach on racial and economic equality, and makes measureable progress in the objective economic status of BAME and disenfranchised communities.
2.2
The Focus
The focus of Equanomics will be to address structural inequality and achieve economic and racial equality working to eradicate: •
discriminatory and disproportionate poverty rates
•
discriminatory and disproportionate unemployment levels and income
•
discriminatory and disproportionate representation in private and public and political spheres
2.3
What will success look like? •
People will understand that social justice cannot be achieved without economic justice. “I had also learned that the inseparable twin of racial justice was economic justice”
Dr. Martin Luther King (from autobiography edited by
Claybourne Carson p10) •
Everyone will be talking the language of economic justice and Equanomics will be its trademark – i.e., it becomes the common denominator/identifier in the quest for social, political, and economic justice, the “term” for activists, scholars, and policy makers.
•
Objective and measurable decrease in the disproportionate levels of poverty and unemployment by race and class
•
Equal access to public services and human rights eg: education and health care
•
Improvement in peoples personal and professional financial management and
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access to prosperity •
Increase in minority representation on company boards, in political arenas and in the management levels of the public and private sector
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Background
The struggle for race equality in the post war period has largely been characterised by a focus on tackling the worst effects of racism and discrimination in the fields of education, criminal justice and employment and also the persistent view that ‘immigrants’ are somehow problematic. Large-scale unemployment, lack of opportunity to access private sector investment funds, regeneration schemes that often pass by our communities and consistently high rates of poverty characterise the BAME experience in the UK. This consistency and persistency of disproportionate levels of poverty and unemployment is what drives Equanomics work to determine causes and solutions. Below are just a few examples – further research and analysis will be conducted to offer more detailed examination of these issues. It is important to mention at this stage that while our focus is race equality through the lens of economic equality, we are also alarmed at the staggering rates of poverty for white children in the UK and are concerned that all too often false wedges are planted to divide the working class along racial lines. Equanomics therefore will also work to build alliances with white organisations and communities and to assist in tackling poverty wherever it exists. Race equality in economic terms is not just about BAME communities.
3.1
Poverty: CRE Legacy report ‘While children from ethnic minority groups make up 12% of the total child population, they are disproportionately more likely to be poor. Rates of child poverty are particularly high among children of African (56%), Pakistani (60%) and Bangladeshi (72%) origin, compared with a rate of 25% for white children. Young people from ethnic minority groups are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, and they are at higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Black and mixed race children are proportionately more likely to be found within the social care system and appear to stay in the system for longer than white children.
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TUC Poverty report: 3.8 million children in the UK are living in poverty. Child poverty costs £40 billion a year, or £2,500 for every family in the UK. The problem costs £40 billion a year because of increased crime, extra public spending and lost economic productivity
3.2
Low income
For all family work statuses, people from ethnic minorities are, on average, more likely to live in low income households than White people. Whilst these differences are relatively small for workless families, they are proportionally much bigger for working families. In particular, part-working families from ethnic minorities are twice as likely to be in low income than part-working White British families: two-fifths compared to one-fifth. Among those in working families, around 60% of Bangladeshis, 40% of Pakistanis and 30% of Black Africans are in low income. These rates are much higher than the 10-15% for White British, White other and Indians.
3.3
Criminal Justice: Reach Report PricewaterhouseCoopers estimated the potential economic benefit of removing the underachievement of Black boys and young Black men at about £808 million a year. The major components of the estimates are the costs associated with over-representation in the Criminal Justice System and reduced gross earnings and taxes associated with educational underachievement. The costs, if they continue over the next 50 years without any change, would amount to approximately £24bn.
3.4
Taxpayers and consumers
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in 2007/2008 make up important segments of local and national economies, recent figures indicate that by 2011 that total will be as much as £300 billion. Black and Asian consumers are also estimated to earn up to £156 billion after tax income, with young men being the bigger consumers and spending £32 billion every year.1 1
Research by Weber Shandwick Multicultural Communications www.webershandwick.co.uk
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What do those communities get in return for the money they spend and contribute to the tax base? How can we use this emerging economic leverage in a collective effort to increase economic opportunity for all our communities? How does the private sector respond to our desire to see employment of our communities and the purchase of products from BAME businesses? How does the financial services sector discriminate against communities and what are the effects? How do local authorities and public sector agencies as employers and the procurement arrangements of goods and services relate to BAME communities? Now is the time to move to the next phase of the struggle for race equality in the UK. Tackling structural economic disadvantages will be central. Tackling the bone crushing reality of economic exclusion is an urgent priority. We look forward to the day when an ‘Equanomics’ analysis becomes a pre-requisite to policymaking, and when no policy or strategic direction can ever again emerge without the voices and engagement of disadvantaged communities. In August 2007 the 1990 Trust and Operation Black Vote launched ‘Equanomics’ (Equality and Economics) via a UK-wide tour with the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Thirty five events were organised in nine cities (London, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford and Sheffield), bringing together private sector businesses, third sector organisations, religious leaders, local authorities, housing organisations, students, youth agencies, and many more. A diary of the tour now is now online at www.equanomics.org.uk Similarly in 2008, Equanomics hosted a “Civil Rights Journey – From Gandhi to King, from Mandela to Obama” – hosting church, community and university events in London, Nottingham, Leicester, and Liverpool, again in partnership with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the U.S. Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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Equanomics Principles The 10 P’s of Equanomics I. (Challenging) Poverty II.
Purposeful
III. Positive principles IV. Peaceful V. Peer-centred VI. Planning VII. Practical Programmes VIII. Progress IX. Participation X. People Power Please see Appendix 2 for description of principles.
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Equanomics Strategic Objectives
5.1 Strategic Objective 1: To build an inclusive and diverse approach to race equality in the UK based on economic justice Overview
Deliverables
Methods
Language about race in Britain
a. Establish a UK wide understanding of the
•
is important, just as the imagery and the way in which politicians, the media and policy institutions approach the issue. Too often
concept of Equanomics.
at a rate of four per month all over the UK and
b. Establish partnerships and networks who can carry the Equanomics UK messages c. Utilisation of the written word on Equanomics
Speaking engagements – these are currently for a range of agencies.
•
Volunteers to be trained for Equanomics work
•
The Equanomics UK contacts database to
the language is reactionary and
UK website, (one article per week) through the
receive information on what we are trying to
concerns only people of colour.
Equanomics Index Quarterly online
do and to help with this task
Too often the framework of
publication (4 issues per year)
language and concepts is created with a top down approach. We aim for
agencies, and responses to policy
e. Road shows – Equanomics speaking tours in communities in the UK 5 in London and at
challenge to the
least one in each the major conurbations
Written submissions wherever possible to local authorities, regional development
in a range of public, voluntary sector agencies
constructive community conceptualisation of Race in
•
d. Speaking engagements - at least 20 per year
consultations on race equality and poverty. •
The Equanomics Index, being developed with an advisory group, will have four issues per year with an average on 10 articles per issue.
Britain.
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5.2 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: To build a community led alliance with a strong youth voice to lead on and promote this economic justice for race equality approach Overview
Deliverables
Equanomics UK believes that race equality
Methods
a) Develop 2000 subscriptions over 3 years A
cannot be achieved without economic justice –
qualitative survey of the effects of the credit
this means that there must be a greater
crunch on poor and BME communities with a view
emphasis on poverty itself and the
to using the results of leverage to influence policy
disproportionate poverty rates in BME
and further research
communities. Currently 25% of white children live in poverty compared to African children 56%, Pakistani children 60% and Bangladeshi
b) Develop 20,000 contacts in 3 years to participate in the Equanomics network c) To lobby others for key elements of the proposed
children 72%. The employment gap between
single equalities bill esp. procurement, positive
BME communities and white people is 15%
action, a social economic duty on the public
(2008) and has remained thereabouts for 20
sector
years. The gap is exaggerated at higher levels
Research Written submissions to relevant agencies Lobbies and campaigns on
d) To lobby on employment issues esp. the
legislation and policy to
where BME representation is at its worst. The
narrowing of the employment gap between BME
include the economic justice
private sector accounts for 80% of all
communities and the rest of the population, fair
elements and to influence
employment and yet has some of the most
pay and the pay gap, employment tribunals.
the creation of new policy.
marked gaps in representation at board level
e) Equanomics Index publication (four per year)
and senior management.
5.3 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: To empower individuals and groups to have greater participation in civic society through political and economic representation Overview
Deliverables
Methods 12
The twin of economic empowerment is political
a. Race equality, economic justice and civic engagement courses (2 per year)
Establish baseline figures for MPs and local political representatives’
empowerment. Both of these require representation in economic and political arenas.
b. Financial Intelligence workshops with speakers
Collate and disseminate information on the
from a range of finance related organisations–
bodies which need better representation
aimed first at young people covering for
from chambers of commerce through
Currently (2008) there are only
example budgeting, managing debt and credit,
corporates, quangos, etc
15 Black MPs and only two of
investing and saving, housing, gaining
these are women.
employment, business development, accessing
The financial intelligence and youth
the private sector, spending money wisely and
programmes will include materials on
ethically.
increasing political and economic voice
c. Youth programmes – aimed at leadership,
Partnership work with Operation Black
supporting education and developing skills,
Vote to support shadowing schemes and
mentoring schemes.
other initiatives
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Operational Objectives Area Core
Website Newsletter Steering group Equanomics Action Teams (EATS)
Index
To do Business plan Leaflets Volunteer training programme Subscriptions – PayPal process Regular content Link boxes Monthly Quarterly backed by subgroups on finance, IT, Index Leicester Nottingham Manchester Liverpool London Bristol – recover contacts? Birmingham All need support and direction Develop social audit model Quarterly – develop editorial group, focus and unique selling point
Institutional racism Manifesto
Develop Equanomics Position paper and possible lobbying campaign
Financial Intelligence programmes
These sessions would be diarised in at one-two per month rotating around key boroughs. All sessions would be planned with two to three speakers drawn from relevant agencies. The themes below are suggestions.
To produce a racial justice manifesto before the next general election
I. Banking – speakers from co-op bank, Islamic banking, independent Financial advisers, types of accounts available best rates of interest, overdrafts and loans II. Students – grants for FE and HE – student speakers, University welfare officers, local authority III. Benefits – speakers from benefits agency , citizens advice IV. Increasing opportunities for employment and training – speakers from job centres, DfES, Connexions V. Managing debt – speakers citizens advice VI. Book keeping, budgeting and basic accounts for individuals, voluntary sector organisations - Citizens Advice VII. Housing – benefits, renting, mortgages – speakers from mortgage brokers, RSLs, Benefits agency VIII. Business and social enterprise start up – speakers from SEED, CBI 14
IX. Insurance and Pensions – speakers from DWP, Financial advisers X. Introduction to the City and stocks and shares, investment bankers, stockbrokers Fundraising Annual conference March 2010 Speaking and event attendance
Equality Bill
High Level Conference on the organisation of world and UK finance and its effects on Black people To change the approaches to race equality from a problematising and stigmatising framework to one which promotes the positive contribution of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic people and which celebrates the general good race relations in the UK. At the same time to focus on the realities of systemic and structural inequalities which stem from economic and political roots. It is suggested that we organise around the forthcoming Single Equalities Bill –particularly where it may affect fair pay and pensions, employment opportunities, improved legal redress for discrimination, equal access to low credit rates, franchises and business and procurement opportunities
E day of action
To have an email, text, messenger and skype or direct action day of calling on people to organise around a particular issue.
FTSE 100 work
To identify and compile league table of make up of boards and senior management, corporate responsibility programmes and work practices. Then to enter negotiations with a particular company for change.
Shareholder Action
Developing shareholder programmes, including the purchase of shares in top listed companies, and generating strategies that strengthen the business imperative of “race equality and inclusion/diversity” practices.
Equanomics Training Programmes
These training days will be for people who want to get active in Equanomics. Typical content could include (not fixed, just ideas):The Equanomics concept and History of movements and organising for economic justice - to include summaries of the work of Dr King, Gandhiji, Nkrumah etc
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Management Structure
Equanomics UK is an independent company limited by Guarantee It aims to have a UK steering group (UKSG) with two reps from each city EAT and as many experts as the UKSG wish from a range of disciplines. It is intended to operate as transparently as possible and therefore any subscriber of Equanomics is able to attend any meeting of the UKSG. Local City E.A.T.’s are responsible for community outreach and recruitment, formulating local E.A.T. programmes, and fundraising. Each City E.A.T. will operate according to the “Pledge” and an Equanomics Code of Conduct. They will be tasked with forging a local/regional coalition of organisations and individuals, seeking a balance of organisations and individuals from the Public, Private and Third Sectors. Equanomics – UK will also act in concert and coordination with existing progressive organisations working around race equality and social justice issues, both locally and nationally. These will include COALITION church, community, education, youth and other “equality focused” organisations.
UK Co-ordination The UKSG will guide Equanomics-UK, which includes subject experts, national organisation representatives, trade union representatives, and two representatives from each local city E.A.T. The UKSG will meet quarterly and will be tasked with implementing the work programme following each annual conference. Annual Convention An Annual Equanomics-UK conference will be held at locations to be decided by the UKSG, to decide annual strategies and programmes and to agree the UKSG.
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UK Advisory Group
BIRMINGHAM NOTTINGHAM
BRISTOL
MANCHESTER
LEICESTER
LONDON
SHEFFIELD
LIVERPOOL
BRADFORD
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Financing
Self–sustainability is a fundamental principle of Equanomics UK. It seeks a diverse and stable funding base, including foundation, public and private sector grants, subscriber dues and grassroots fundraising, and will avoid long-term reliance on any single source. Open book accountancy practices will be employed to maintain accountability and transparency
7.1
Fundraising
Equanomics will: •
Focus on developing a wide subscriber base
•
Enable funders to participate in creating a self-sustainable, community led, organisation, which will provide long-term access to advice and training where it is needed most.
•
Use the wide appeal of the Equanomics movement to engage a number of key funding partners such as high net worth individuals and corporate funders
•
Establish a sustainable fundraising programme for ongoing revenue and developmental income needs
•
Work closely with all stakeholders to develop long term sustainable partnerships
7.2
The Fundraising Strategy Priorities •
Work on the “Equanomics Circle” campaign to raise approximately £1.4m over 3 years from Corporates and High Net Worth individuals
•
The aim is to gain funding initially from 360 companies (one degree each) of £3k each. The companies researched and worked with over the last 3 years are in the process of being approached, together with those that attended a recent Business in the Community event.
•
Master card for Equanomics
•
Subscriptions and donations
•
Approach to SME businesses, a number of large Corporates, and other bodies
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including Trade Unions •
Loans and grants from Venture Capital organisations such as BIGinvest, Future Builders, Capacity Builders, Adventure Capital Fund and Venturesome are being sourced.
7.3
Marketing Strategy
Equanomics has not previously had the resources available to effectively market the services and activities it has to offer. Within the business plan should be a dedicated budget to ensure that it is marketed to its full potential. This includes trade marking and patenting, specific targeted promotions, and raising the profile in the local areas. We will utilise network marketing to maximise potential markets. New technology and media will be used to reach potential users in their own cultural context. Web technologies will provide dynamic interface with stakeholder groups. PR plays a key role in raising awareness - high profile continues to leverage support and provide coverage with relevant external publics, however much more needs to be done in this area and we a looking at all channels to reach the whole community more effectively.
7.4
Subscriptions and Donations
Subscriptions are offered at £2 per month to unwaged £5 per month to waged and £10 per month to organisations. If we can get 5000 subscribers x £5 average per month that will bring in £300,000 per year - enough to run the central organisation and city Equanomics Action Teams. This will make Equanomics an independent race equality movement which will not only have our own funds but which will also have a large contact base that will be powerful in itself.
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Appendices
8.1
APPENDIX I: The 10 P’s of Equanomics I. (Challenging) Poverty II.
Purposeful
III. Positive principles IV. Peaceful V. Peer-centred VI. Planning VII. Practical Programmes VIII. Progress IX. Participation X. People Power
I. Poverty – non party political work for the engagement of disenfranchised and poor communities. Equanomics argues that it is economic justice alongside political empowerment that is the next phase for equality in society. Without it there cannot be any more integration than already exists. Without it, discrimination and inequalities based on race and colour will grow. II. Purposeful Recently, we have been most struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics: A variation in our approach that remains true to our principles. A new way that does not deny our roots yet is a new radar, a fresh angle, a new purpose. A coalition strategy we believe will best advance our struggle for change, if not “equality in our lifetime.” Rafael Behr Observer 15th June 2008: ‘If government wants to change the status of minorities, it can choose between two policy menus, one cultural and one economic. The cultural one is assimilation: setting a goal of a unified national identity and pushing people towards it, by shutting faith schools and banning public officials from wearing headscarves, for example.
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The economic one is redistribution: addressing the problems of social mobility and poverty that actually cause tension between communities. Or it can go à la carte and try a bit of both. What it can't do is talk loosely about a policy of integration because, noble though it sounds, it doesn't actually mean anything.’ Clearly, the fight to eradicate poverty demands more from government policy than integration, cohesion and diversity strategies unless they have real economic equality as their foundation. Government policy must address economics: closing the gap between rich and poor; allocating real economic resources, and needed to tackle poverty. Currently there is good indication that this government is committed to this and Equanomics is keen to work in proactive partnerships with Government departments to optimise joint efforts. Thus, Equanomics represents the birth of a movement that will focus on the structural inequalities which present as inherently economic and racial injustices, alongside the pursuit of social, civil and political rights. III. Positive Principles •
Peaceful and Positive Persuasion, belief in the possible becoming probable and permanent
•
Non-violent action for justice and resistance to injustice.
•
Based on working from love for humanity and not fear of the oppressor(s), oppression. However, love without work for justice is not enough. If you love humanity, you must want and work for justice.
•
Education, Persuasion Legislation and Litigation
•
Courage, moral and in actions must be the guide to our work because we should identify (and protect) leaders, be transparent.
•
Work within the law as far as possible, but challenge unjust laws.
IV. Peaceful Equanomics believes in resistance to injustice by non-violent methods. This must not be mistaken for pacifism or passivity. We advocate direct action and organised interventions where necessary to highlight and lobby against injustices. We draw our inspiration particularly from the work of Dr. Martin Luther King,
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Mahatma Gandhi and Kwame Nkrumah. V. Peer centred Equanomics is founded on a history of experience, direct work with communities, information giving and receiving, consulting and networking all over the UK. We believe firmly that to be effective Equanomics must be based on: C = Constituency S = Substance R = Relationships That is the work of Equanomics must be guided by the views and experiences of local communities, it cannot be rhetoric alone and therefore well researched documents and analysis, programmes which connect with ordinary people and be founded on the development of relationships. Local City E.A.T.S (Equanomics action Teams) will also have co-ordinators and all subscribers to Equanomics will be able to attend Equanomics meetings. A key tenet of Equanomics will be to disseminate information, encourage participation and engagement not only in Equanomics but also in wider civic life. Equanomics-UK is not just a single voice; it is a chorus of diverse community voices working for equality – people of all races, religions and backgrounds committed to achieving economic and racial equality. With coordination, engagement and a single vision, our individual voices will come together to drive a vehicle for sustainable change. Equanomics-UK is a democratic organisation. It is for everyone whose lives are affected by deprivation, poverty and who lack equal opportunity. It will involve individuals and organizations from both the public and private sectors in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Equanomics-UK will be people-led with national, regional and local steering groups to be known as EQUANOMIC ACTION TEAMS (EATS). Two representatives from each City Equanomics Action Team will join the
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Equanomics-UK Steering group – normally the co-ordinator and one other person. VI. Planning Annual convention will agree annual priorities and this then will be planned by the advisory group. City co-coordinators will then plan locally. The UKSG and Advisory group will meet quarterly to monitor progress and offer support. The national co-ordinator and city co-ordinators will arrange a series of meetings during the year with key individuals and organisations in the public, private, and voluntary sectors and will undertake a range of speaking engagements. VII. Practical Programmes - focused on tackling poverty, creating an equality of opportunity to prosperity and which are practical. See Appendix 1 for summaries of the programmes. Each programme will have its own developed paper. •
Equanomics index the starting point
•
Equanomics day of action - E day
•
Annual convention
•
Development of City Economic Action Teams to keep focus in city on economic analysis and lobbies for economic justice
•
Anti poverty programmes
•
Jobs and income programmes
•
Prosperity opportunity programmes
Equanomics-UK seeks to empower ordinary people to lead the movement for social change. It aims to develop programmes, which focus on: •
Developing financial literacy programmes relating to individual and community economic empowerment and development;
•
Monitoring and analysing public policy and parliamentary legislation concerning poverty, income and race equality. And keeping communities informed of progress on these initiatives;
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•
Providing and disseminating research and briefings
quantifying race
(in)equality, assessing proposals for community wide change and analysing trends in economic power in the UK. We will publish an annual Equanomics-UK report; •
Providing educational programmes, web-based advice and assistance on employment issues, benefits, and debt reduction, as well as through referral to other agencies who have capacity and expertise;
•
Developing shareholder programmes, including the purchase of shares in top listed companies, and generating strategies that strengthen the business imperative of “race equality and inclusion/diversity” practices.
•
Researching different economic models for society.
•
Working for fair pay and pensions, employment opportunities, improved legal redress for discrimination, equal access to low credit rates, franchises and business and procurement opportunities.
VIII. Progress - to be measured for Equanomics and for economic justice – as the development of freedoms (see Amartya Sen – ‘Development as Freedom’) IX. Participation Equanomics is based on the view that the full participation of all in civic society in the UK is not possible unless there are the individual and community resources to gain access. Equanomics will be examining a range of methods to ensure more participation
X. People Power Equanomics knows that it only takes a few determined people to make an idea successful or to create change. We believe in the power of the mind and collective will and effort. If our hearts can believe it, our minds can conceive it, then we can achieve it. If we can build our subscribers to a point where we are not dependent on grants for any more than a small percentage of our funds then we can create an independent UK wide movement for the future.
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