Operations Summary

SundRoot works to promote the democratic economy and sound community based economic systems. Our work spans three areas that together cover the whole chain: from those with the resources and position to catalyse change, via the cooperative economy that carries it, to systemic solutions that can be launched and self-sustained.

Incubation programme for systemic shift

SundRoot is about initiating and running incubation programmes for philanthropists and other societal actors who want their resources and position to catalyse effective systemic solutions. Instead of scattering gifts and grants on one-off projects that are used up, we help actors direct their capital, networks and influence towards solutions that build self-sustaining systems — where the effects compound with every turn.

Proactively initiating and weaving the cooperative economy

SundRoot is co-creator of the cooperative network in the Malmö region of Sweden. We initiate processes to kickstart cooperative enterprises, we facilitate and promote contact between co-ops, and contribute to processes where existing businesses convert into cooperatives. By weaving together and having shared access to resources, services, know-how and opportunities, we help the support ecosystem to grow — which helps to create more jobs in a sector that in itself carries many positive social effects.

Launching systemic solutions and socio-economic innovations

SundRoot launches innovations in democracy and economy. The clearest example is our operational blueprint for developing local socio-economic systems: holistic solutions where local businesses become more resilient by sharing services, and where local democracy empower people with local funds that invest in the community’s development. Read the operational plan for local community economies.

Another part of this area is finding actors who can carry out innovations where they do the most good — for example a fund for affordable housing, starting with shared cottages where part of the income goes to the fund that in turn funds the next project and over time, this, allows for bigger projects like community land trusts.

Get in touch

Want to know more about any of our areas of work, or discuss a collaboration? Get in touch!