The State of Us 2

Book Now

The State of Us 2: Ownership, Organising and Opportunity

Building powerful communities and economic democracy

Friday, November 18th 2022

Conference: 09:45hr – 16:30hrs (Social/After Party: 16:30hrs – late)

The Market Hall, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4PS

(Part of Plymouth Social Enterprise City Festival)

In the face of a growing storm of national and international crises, new ways of building powerful communities and economic democracy are emerging worldwide. Community enterprises and activists are creating alternative forms of power and new municipal models, building more democratic and regenerative local economies.

Based around a foundation of self-managing enterprises, how can communities in places like Plymouth further foster social, environmental and economic resilience? How can we build greater collective agency, better distribute power and create a more democratic economy? What is The State of Us in 2022?

In 2021 Real Ideas, the New Economics Foundation and partners held The State of Us, an online conference series that explored, and was rallying cry for, grassroots initiatives that offered creative community based solutions to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.

This year the State of Us 2 (SoU2) we will convene in-person in Plymouth, a city at the heart of some of the boldest examples in community-led innovation in the UK. As part of the city’s annual Social Enterprise City Festival, the conference will consider where we are now and through the lenses of ownership, organising and opportunity, explore and devise practical actions.

The conference is for anyone working on social, environmental, racial, and economic justice, democracy and community power at a local level across the UK, whether through local enterprise, organising, activism, third sector, or local government. Join us to talk, learn and make connections for a brighter, more viable and more just future.

Taking place at the Market Hall, Devonport, Plymouth on Friday 18th November, SoU2 is a full day conference of talks and workshops, followed by a social event and party. Both events are free to attend and can be booked together or independently.

Thank you for wanting to get involved with The State of Us 2. To recognise your attendance we would like to issue you with a digital badge ‘The State of Us 2022: Attendee’

Digital badges celebrate learning outside of formal qualifications and are the future of recognising skills, helping you shout about your strengths and stand out from the crowd. They are a smart, simple and visual way to share your achievements with others via your website, LinkedIn profile, CV and more.

To allow us to issue your badge we will share your name and email address with the global badge hosting platform Credly, We do this in line with our privacy notice which can be viewed here. By signing up to The State of Us 2 you consent to being issued with a digital badge.

Your badges will be a part of Badge Nation- a community of organisations committed to recognising what people achieve and accomplish outside of formal qualifications, motivating learning and ambition through digital badges. If you have any questions or concerns about being issued with a digital badge, please contact Ruby Barter at [email protected]