“Funding the Cooperative City” is the result of the arduous research conducted by Daniela Patti and Levente Polyak on models of community finance and civic economy. Packing numerous stories and examples, the book lays out case studies from throughout Europe.
Whether it be the former industrial production site converted collective urban development space of ExRotaprint in Wedding (Berlin) or Largo Residencias, a multi-purpose hostel, hotel, artist-in-residence and café in Lisbon’s fast-changing Intendente neighbourhood, the book delves into the finance and operation models of such communities and organizations in detail.
The book explores how citizen initiatives, cooperatives, non-profit companies, community land trusts, crowdfunding platforms, ethical banks and anti-speculation foundations arrange new mechanisms to access, purchase, renovate or construct buildings for communities. It offers a helpful set of resources not only for community organizations and initiators of civic spaces, but also for private developers, municipalities and EU institutions that are willing to support them to create more resilient and inclusive local communities, facilities and services.