Building an alternative economy in Cynon Valley and Blaenau Ffestiniog

An innovative project to support the development of non-exploitative economic models in two areas. 

Blaenau Ffestiniog and the south Wales valleys have both experienced economic models that have exploited people and the environment. While slate and coal have now gone, emerging sectors such as tourism risk being similarly exploitative. 

Aims

The project aims to strengthen and deepen the skills of local economic activists. By learning from each other, they will be able to build an alternative economy in the two localities.

What we are doing

This small scale project brings together people from Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Cynon Valley communities who are interested in alternative approaches to the economy. Blaenau Ffestiniog has an outstanding record of growing successful, community-owned enterprises ranging from a pub and hotel to an arts centre and chip shop. Emerging projects in the south Wales valleys are, similarly, forging a new path.

The project involves a programme of knowledge exchange and study visits, and will also include production of an audio-visual record of activities.

Outputs

The main outputs are an interactive report and standard PDF report, both of which are available here. We also published a short article in our magazine Exchange.

Funders

The Bevan Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust towards the cost of this project and the Lipman-Miliband Trust towards the cost of audio-visuals.