Home » Resource Hub

Building Resilient Sustainable Economies via the Cooperative Sector and Flexible Specialization: Lessons from the Emilia Romagna Region of Italy

This paper discusses the potential for economic networks to aid in the creation of resilient and sustainable economies, and the social, economic and governmental supports necessary to create those networks. Specifically the cooperative and cooperative networks of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy are examined as well as the system of flexible specialization in production and Industrial Districts that also in exist in that region, along with the support of the La Lega cooperative network, the local culture and regional and national governments. Drawing on the literature around resilience thinking and sustainable economics conclusions are drawn around the aspects of these systems that further resilience and sustainability and several courses of action are recommended for local, regional and national policy makers.

Related resources (by topic)

Just Transition PowerForce

The Just Transition PowerForce brings together environmental and climate justice leaders from across the country to align the climate commitments of corporations toward deep investments in the sustainability and climate resilience of frontline communities, enabling self-determination, economic security, and restorative…

LA Green Zones Program: Groundtruthing

The Los Angeles County, California, Department of Regional Planning (DRP) developed the Green Zones Program in 2015, to attain equitable development for the next 20 years, and to help update the Los Angeles County General Plan. Centering on environmental justice and community engagement, the…

Local Government Support for Cooperatives

This guide provides a catalog of efforts made by local government institutions to support cooperative development in their regions in the state of Pennsylvania.

New Economy Coalition

The New Economy Coalition is a membership-based network representing the solidarity economy movement in the United States.  NEC exists to organize their members into a more powerful and united force, in order to accelerate the transition of our economic system…

Help us expand the Resource Hub

Share resources that you think would be a good addition to this tool and our team will review them for inclusion in future updates.