Innovating Together: Community-Led Regeneration in Action

Nov 01, 2024

This week's Regenerative Insights centers around a powerful theme: Community Innovations. As we dive into these inspiring stories, we see how local efforts—whether in resource sharing, habitat restoration, or social sustainability—are fueling a new wave of regenerative practices. As reflected in my Forbes article that provided a case study of BLVR, fostering local communities for impact has become the central role in the B Corp movement. These innovations not only address environmental challenges but also uplift communities by fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and resilience.

From a community lending project in Stourbridge , UK to Blue River Habitat Restoration, these different projects and initiatives showcase how collective efforts can lead to sustainable solutions. Local engagement, whether through lending libraries or river restoration or other forms of organization emphasizes the importance of community-led practices, where innovation meets social responsibility.

In this week's Research Corner, we explore inclusive innovation's role in promoting social sustainability, particularly in underserved populations. As highlighted by Kalkanci, Rahmani, and Toktay (2019), successful regenerative efforts require collaboration across sectors, demonstrating that social and environmental goals can be aligned.

Let’s delve into these stories and explore how community-driven innovation is shaping a more resilient and equitable world. Ready to explore? Let’s get started!

Featured Article:

Belief-Driven Impact: The Core of BLVR’s Success

In my recent Forbes article, I explored how BLVR, a San Diego-based agency, stands out for its deep commitment to creating positive societal change. Specializing in brand development for purpose-driven companies, BLVR uses a "belief-driven" approach to empower brands to act as forces for good. The company not only leads by example but also integrates its ethos into the brands it works with, helping them align their business practices with a higher conviction. Through partnerships with like-minded businesses and community engagement, BLVR helps brands foster deeper connections by rooting identities in shared beliefs and values, not just profits. This focus on community-driven impact is why BLVR sees its B Corp certification as a platform for broader societal transformation.

Essential Reads:

Community Lending Project

Stourbridge plans to create a lending library for infrequently used items, encouraging community involvement and waste reduction. With over 300 supporters, this project aims to secure funding and promote similar initiatives in other areas, fostering a culture of resource sharing and sustainability.
Read more: Library of Things lending scheme proposed for Stourbridge

Climate-Resilient Community Development

In Buenos Aires, residents co-designed housing and infrastructure with the Housing Institute, creating solar-powered homes and green spaces. These initiatives enhance environmental and social resilience while integrating the community into the broader city economy, fostering economic empowerment.
Read more: Rodrigo Bueno Buenos Aires Climate-Resilient Community

Microplastic Remediation

PolyGone Systems, in collaboration with Princeton University, creates a portable device to collect microplastics from marine environments. This affordable and biomimetic solution helps address the growing issue of microplastic pollution, supporting efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
Read more: This Startup Floats a Biomimetic Solution to Microplastic Pollution

Bali’s Rice Farming Revival

Astungkara Way is transforming Bali's tourism and agriculture by integrating regenerative farming with immersive travel experiences. Their initiatives encourage tourists to engage with local farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture and preserving Bali's rice paddies. Through multi-day hikes and hands-on farm tours, tourists contribute to the restoration of Bali's ecosystems while learning about traditional farming.

Regenerative Farm Community

The Farm at Okefenokee is a regenerative farming residential community that offers luxury cabins in harmony with nature. Residents benefit from nutrient-rich food grown on-site using sustainable methods. With an emphasis on community, the farm promotes a healthier lifestyle, reducing environmental impact while connecting people with the land and each other.

Resilience and Regeneration

Disaster-affected communities in areas like Western North Carolina and Central Florida are rebuilding through cooperative efforts. These initiatives, including credit unions and community land trusts, expand community-led regenerative work, offering disaster resilience. Efforts also focus on disability justice, ensuring inclusivity in disaster planning and response, paving the way for long-term regeneration after crises.

Blue River Habitat Restoration

The Blue River Watershed Group is seeking community input for a habitat restoration project downstream of Dillon Reservoir. This initiative aims to improve degraded aquatic ecosystems, enhance fish habitats, and restore river health. The project includes river channel modifications, fish spawning improvements, and recreation enhancements in Silverthorne.

Malibu Creek Restoration

A new photo site has been added to the Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project (MCERP) Community Science Program. Located near Malibu Pier, the site allows the public to help monitor shoreline conditions before the removal of Rindge Dam. This project aims to restore habitat connectivity for endangered species and improve ecosystem resilience.

Research Corner:

In Production and Operations Management, Kalkanci, Rahmani, and Toktay (2019) explore how inclusive innovation can drive social sustainability, particularly in emerging economies. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable operations research to address social concerns of underserved populations. It highlights that innovation in products, processes, and supply chains must prioritize inclusion and equity. Successful efforts require collaboration between for-profit firms, public sectors, civil society, and local communities. The paper identifies key social sustainability challenges across services, manufacturing, and agriculture and suggests opportunities for future research to address these pressing issues.

The regenerative business practices and sustainability innovations highlighted in this week's Regenerative Insights directly tackle the critical issues of corporate responsibility and social equity through the waste practice lens explored in my recent book explored in my recent book, The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost.

Quick Takeaways:

Climate-resilient housing: Co-designed solar-powered homes and green spaces to empower communities economically and environmentally.
Sustainable tourism: Promote regenerative agriculture by integrating eco-conscious travel experiences that support local farmers.
Farming with community: Create regenerative farm communities that prioritize healthy food, nature, and connection among residents.
Inclusive disaster recovery: Engage communities in regenerative rebuilding, ensuring resilience and inclusivity in disaster-affected areas.
Aquatic habitat restoration: Involve local input in river restoration projects to improve ecosystems and recreational spaces.
Ecosystem monitoring: Encourage public participation in ecosystem restoration efforts to boost habitat resilience and species protection.

Regenerative Insights