During the past four decades, the Uruguayan Federation of Mutual-Aid Housing Cooperatives (FUCVAM) has been promoting workers’ autogestión (self- management), participatory democracy, and ayuda mutua (sweat equity; the direct contribution of work in the the building site by all cooperative members) as viable tools for the construction of high-quality dwellings. At the same time, FUCVAM has been a leading force in the resistance to authoritarianism and social exclusion.

Throughout its history, housing construction and political activism have been two highly intertwined components of the Uruguayan cooperative housing movement, as the active involvement of its members in the building process translates into a much broader social engagement.

FUCVAM understands housing as a commons. The houses built by the cooperatives are not privately owned. The cooperative members search for a suitable plot of land and take out a loan from the state together, and then, as a collective, they assume control of the whole building process and the management of the urban space once construction is completed, fostering internal solidarity, social empowerment and democratic innovations along the way.

This six-minute short documentary film presents the multifaceted elements of this movement through the eyes and words of three FUCVAM activists: Matías, Isabel and Gustavo. Belonging to different generations and representing diverse social and generational backgrounds, they collectively tell a history of struggle and triumph in the search for practical solutions to vital problems faced by workers and low-income communities around the world.

Daniel Chavez is a Uruguayan/Dutch social scientist and documentary photographer. He specialises in public policy and development issues, with special emphasis on public services provision and participatory democracy. He is a Fellow of the Transnational Institute (TNI). Daniel has authored and edited a number of books, published in several languages. He holds a BA in Social Anthropology from the University of the Republic (Montevideo, Uruguay) and a MA and a PhD in Development Studies from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University-Rotterdam.

Republished with permission from the author.

The post Sweat Equity: How Uruguay’s housing coops provide solidarity and shelter to low-income families appeared first on P2P Foundation.

by: Time Bank Hull and East Riding

Click here for event registration and more information

COME HELP BUILD A NEIGHBOURLY NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY! We have what we need, let’s connect, collaborate and make it happen! We can do it!

Communities around the world are piloting MANs designed to meet life’s economic needs – food justice, work redesign, sustainable energy, community justice, housing and transportation access, travel and culture exchange, etc etc. Local MANs are connecting in a global cooperative, the Main MAN, in order to support each other’s success and build a network of networks that can engage the 100% in a neighbourly
global economy. We’re hosting a summit in Hull, United Kingdom to learn from each other and take our work and connections forward.

What to expect: New learning, nuts and bolts action for local communities, access to ongoing technical assistance, training in using MAN tools for your own projects plus mutual support among projects around the world, deepening knowledge, building relationships. And fun, music, art, and nature. Join us prior to the summit for Hull’s Freedom Festival 2-4th September. Then on the 5th, the summit will start with an overview of the Mutual Aid Network, go on to visioning #thesocietywewant on the 6th in partnership with the Webb Memorial Trust, deepening to exploring the tools including tech and then focussing in on the Hull pilot at the end of the week with a day outdoor camp and evening celebration to finish. Click here for draft schedule.

Where possible we will offer homestays, feed you delicious food, and schedule plenty of time for enjoyment. You will leave with concrete actionable ideas for how to work with people in your own community to build your dream economy.
For more information see http://www.mutualaidnetwork.org/man-up-summit-uk-sept-2016/

Registration Fees Explained: Sliding Scale – Day Tickets and Full Week:

Wherever possible, we are using MAN tools (eg sharing, gift, timebanking) to create this week of events. However there are some real monetary costs we need to cover so we would be very grateful if you be as generous as possible in your registration amount. Of course we want everyone to be able to attend and participate. If these suggested donations put an undue burden on you financially, you are allowed to select a lower fee. We ask you to make an honest evaluation of what is within your means for attending the conference. If you are able to contribute more it will help us greatly both with the cost of programming, travel and food. Any excess will be put into the Mutual Aid Network which you can all be part of! There is also a ticket option for time exchange. We need lots of helpers to help with cooking, accommodation hosts, food contributions and bicycles. Is there anything else you can offer? Let us know and we’ll be in touch! Thank you in advance.

When: Monday, 5 September 2016 at 09:30 – Saturday, 10 September 2016 at 22:00 Add to Calendar

Where: Hull – Hull, United Kingdom – View Map

The post Mutual Aid Network: 1st European Summit – September 5, Hull, UK appeared first on P2P Foundation.