Want to know how we created and maintained a sustainable Co-op for over 25 years? There’s lots of information here. Please have a read. If you still need more, we offer consultancy services.
Overview
The most succinct overview of our ‘place-based’ social enterprise can be found in this 2023 case study by leading Community Development Academic Dr Peter Westoby and Rachael Donavan of Community Praxis Cooperative.
Podcasts
There are three podcasts of Coordinator/CEO Richard Warner in conversation with Dr Peter Westoby, about the NCEC method, model and magic of NCEC.
Community Building Training
We are proud to have written a book this year with Community Praxis Co-op called the ‘Community Builders Journal’. It is a year long journal with reflections on community building and encouragement to take your own steps. Published by Practical Action Publications, a legacy organisation of British Economist Ernst Schumacher author of ‘Small is Beautiful‘, it is available in a variety of formats.
In Academic Research
Check out this academic research about NCEC published May 2019 in a leading international journal for disability studies. Titled “The Possibility of cooperatives: a vital contributor in creating meaningful work for people with disabilities”, the article reports on a piece of Action Research by Dr Peter Westoby (QUT) and Dr Lynda Shevellar (UQ). Read the Abstract and access the full article here.
Our organisational story and framework
Our self published e-book and organisational framework “Participation and Production: a Resource for Community Enterprise” (2013) is available at no charge in three formats:
- As an Apple ‘i-book’ (i-pad only) available by downloading the free i-books app and clicking the following link to the i-tunes bookstore: Participation and Production i-book
- As a high quality printable portable document file (PDF) available for download here (32MB PDF).
- As a view-able document online @ Scribd:Participation and Production@Scribd (N.B. enable your pop-up blocker if you want to avoid advertisements).
NCEC Interviewed by the United Nations
Enjoy this short interview with our CEO Richard Warner on the history and purpose of NCEC – published by the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Employment and Business Development with Migrants and Refugees
We are excited to announce the publication of a new research report on our Successful Employment Pathways for Economic Integration (EPRI) program funded by the Federal Government. This is a valuable resource for workers in the settlement and employment space and working with people facing complex barriers generally.Final EPRI Report
The Migrant Entrepreneur Small Business Toolkit is booklet targeted to entrepreneurs from Multicultural Backgrounds and those assisting them. This was written in conjuction with the Yunnus Social Business Centre of Griffith University and with support from Brisbane City Council. You can down load the booklet here and the associated ‘business model canvass’ template here.
Liking = Donating: If you like our free e-book and want to ‘pay forward’ the good-will, we suggest you donate a coffee or meal as a part of our ‘shout a suspended’ coffee campaign; where free coffees and meals are provided via our cafe to local residents in need. http://www.givenow.com.au/ncec
We also suggest this free step by step guide for those interested in starting their own coop.