Community Benefits Exploration

Black-owned banks and credit unions have long been critical pillars of economic empowerment for Black communities across the U.S. These institutions, known as Community Development Financial Institutions (#CDFIs) and Minority Deposit Institutions (#MDIs), emerged as safe havens for Black Americans when larger banks excluded or marginalized them. Today, they continue to play a pivotal role in closing the #racialwealthgap by providing access to capital and fostering financial inclusion. Through my work as a co-lead of Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), I’ve seen how CDFIs and MDIs help alleviate the economic inequities that persist in Black and other underrepresented communities. SCI is committed to modernizing these financial institutions by improving their access to technology and resources. We aim to boost their capacity to issue more capital, support small business owners and grow generational wealth in historically underrepresented areas. As we push for systemic change, I encourage everyone to explore and support Black-owned banks and credit unions, as highlighted by Business Insider. By choosing to bank with these institutions, we can collectively invest in the economic well-being of our communities and work toward a more equitable future. https://bit.ly/40kv2IV

Next time you find yourself in the middle of a debate about wolves, beavers, etc., here are some direct benefits to local communities to keep in mind: 🦦 Beaver Flood Control & Water Management: Beaver-made wetlands regulate water flow, reducing flood damage and ensuring a steady water supply during dry spells. Enhanced Biodiversity & Recreation: These wetlands become thriving habitats, supporting fisheries and ecotourism that boost local economies. 🐺 Wolf Ecosystem Balance: By controlling herbivore numbers, wolves help maintain productive forests and grasslands that are vital for clean water and fertile soils. Eco-Tourism & Conservation Funding: Healthy, balanced ecosystems attract visitors and support local economies through tourism and conservation initiatives. 🐻 Bear Forest Health & Carbon Storage: Robust forests, regenerated in part through bear-mediated seed dispersal, act as carbon sinks and provide clean air and water. Cultural & Economic Value: Bears often hold cultural significance and draw wildlife enthusiasts, contributing to regional tourism and conservation efforts. 🦅 Golden Eagle Natural Pest Control: Their predation on rodents helps protect crops and reduce the spread of disease, supporting agricultural productivity and public health. Indicator of Ecosystem Health: The presence of golden eagles signals a balanced, thriving environment that benefits all species, including humans. 🦦 Sea Otter Coastal Protection & Climate Mitigation: Healthy kelp forests shield coastlines from erosion and capture carbon, aiding in climate regulation. Economic Support: Rich marine ecosystems bolster fisheries and attract eco-tourism, vital for coastal community economies. 🐃 Bison Grassland Preservation: Open, well-managed grasslands contribute to soil conservation and act as carbon sinks, helping mitigate climate change. Tourism & Heritage: Bison are symbols of natural heritage that attract visitors and foster sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. When we protect these species, we protect the natural foundations that sustain human life, ensuring a healthier planet for generations to come. #Coexistence #Rewilding #NatureRestoration #EarthRegeneration #KeystoneSpecies #Biodiversity #SustainableLiving Photo: Jeroen Helmer / ARK Nature https://lnkd.in/d_3KjUpn

Following last weeks select committee there’s, rightly, been lots of discussion on the affordability of the decarbonisation of our energy system. We need the economic benefits investment in clean energy infrastructure brings, the jobs, the enduring benefit of an energy system fit for economic growth, based on home produced renewables, with less exposure to the global gas markets that drove the last energy crisis. The 6 million households in the UK in fuel poverty also need bills to come down today. Whilst I understand the argument that, when adjusted for inflation energy bills are no higher than they were a decade ago, this doesn’t help the many whose incomes haven’t kept pace with the cost of living. Abandoning, or significantly decelerating, the decarbonisation of our energy system isn’t a rational answer to this question. It would put at risk billions of pounds of investment, hundreds of thousands of jobs, ultimately lead to a higher cost of transition and risk missing out on a generational economic opportunity. We have to make new energy work for people, for businesses & for our society. For me the answer lies in greater focus on the people & communities the energy system is there to serve. Our work with Coventry City Council, utilising Warm Homes Discount Funding to install a battery and simple flex tariff in eligible customers homes, delivers annual savings of £255. Similar work with Northern Powergrid shows this approach can be used to alleviate network congestion too. This work is easily scalable. Remove the blockers to trading customers flexibility in multiple markets simultaneously & the savings potential grows, couple it with rooftop solar or participation in an energy community, it grows further. Our experience training 1300 apprentices shows the potential to create skilled work. Whilst we scale solutions such as this, we should act urgently to support customers. Moving legacy policy costs off bills, into taxation can be progressive, those of us with broader shoulders bearing more of the burden, whilst reducing electricity bills by nearly £150. Addressing marginal pricing, moving gas power stations into a strategic reserve, enabling customers to benefit from cheaper renewables more often, can deliver further savings. Mandating Smart for rental properties will help reduce energy debt whilst enabling these customers to benefit from time of use tariffs. Building on the extension of the warm homes discount, investing in targeted price support, co-funded by industry & government, such as we see in other markets will bring benefits that extend far beyond maintaining support for infrastructure investment. By helping those customers who need it most, generate, store and choose when they use energy; by making long discussed changes to policy, we can reap the benefits infrastructure investment brings and bring bills down, making new clean energy work for everyone.

What if your power came from your neighborhood, not a big utility miles away? That’s the idea behind Utility-Lite, and it’s starting to catch on, especially in Hawai‘i. Utility-Lite is a new model where smaller energy providers install and manage local solar, battery, and microgrid systems. Unlike traditional utilities that control generation, transmission, and billing, Utility-Lite groups focus only on what’s needed: powering homes and businesses directly, with less overhead and more flexibility. Hawai‘i is a natural fit. Each island runs its own grid, and importing fuel is expensive. Add in wildfires, storms, and long delays for grid upgrades, and communities are looking for faster, local solutions. Recent policy shifts like Act 197 are helping open the grid to non-utility players for the first time. Imagine a neighborhood that installs its own solar + battery systems, managed by a local nonprofit. They stay connected to the grid, but rely on it less, pay a fixed monthly rate, and keep energy dollars in the community. Could Utility-Lite be the future for more places, especially those underserved or tired of waiting? Curious to hear your thoughts.

Forget everything you think you know about “sales.” Today, the biggest brands? They’re not just pushing products. They’re building communities around them. Here’s how they’re doing it: 1. COMMUNITY FIRST, SALES SECOND → Add value, and sales will follow. → Think forums. Discords. IG Lives. → Places where your audience can actually connect. → Not just with you, but with each other. → Build a space that people want to return to. 2. SERVE YOUR SUPERFANS → Every brand has them. → They’re your superfans. → They’re the ones who hype you unprompted. → They post about you. They tell their friends. → Treat them like gold. They’re your biggest asset. 3. ACTIVELY LISTEN & ITERATE → Your community wants to feel heard. → They want their feedback to matter. → Use it to inform product updates. → Let it guide your content direction. → Take their pulse, and show you’re listening. Want loyal customers? Build a community that feels like home. What brands are killing this rn? 👇 _ 👋 I’m Jolyon Varley, co-founder of OK COOL, strategic and creative partners to the hottest brands on the planet. I drop insights on culture and entrepreneurship every day at 8:30am EST 🔔

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Every year, U.S. communities spend over $𝟭𝟮 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 operating more than 𝟭𝟳,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. But what do we actually get in return? Economists 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻, Ezra Karger , 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Peter Nencka  asked that question in a fascinating study published in the 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘤��𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭: 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺. By tracking nearly 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀—new buildings, renovations, and upgrades—they found something powerful: • 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝟭% • 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝟮𝟭% • 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 The findings are clear: 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲. The benefits extend far beyond the walls of the library, into classrooms, neighborhoods, and local economies. I’m honored to be invited by Kenton County Public Library to present on this topic at their 2025 Staff Development Day. Their invitation inspired me to start a new Decode Econ series exploring 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. As I research and write, I’d love your help • How has your local library shaped your learning or career? • Have you seen examples of libraries driving local growth? Share your stories or data in the comments — let’s highlight how libraries make our communities smarter, stronger, and more connected. Read the full piece on Decode Econ #economics #Econ #libraries

Naadagama: The Power of Community Marketing In the heart of Sri Lanka's vibrant music scene, 'Naadagama,' seemingly born from the creative minds of GenZ's, is rewriting the rules. As an older millennial, I can attest—it's a breath of fresh air, and as a marketer, it's a masterclass in community marketing, UGC, and sonic branding. The Community Effect in Full Swing: Naadagama transcends the traditional concert experience; it's a community-led revolution. Throwing away with the conventional advertising playbook, Naadagama relies on the community effect. It's not about bombarding audiences with ads but creating an immersive experience that spreads like wildfire through word of mouth. Sonic Branding: The Heartbeat of Naadagama: Close your eyes, and you'll feel it, sonic branding isn't an afterthought; it's the pulse connecting every performance. From traditional beats to cutting-edge sounds, Naadagama has crafted an auditory identity that transcends a mere concert—it's an unforgettable sonic journey. Marketing without the Sellout Vibe: In a world saturated with ads, Naadagama maintains authenticity. While a few advertisers have joined the party, it's done with finesse. No in-your-face promotions; instead, seamless integration enhances the overall experience. It's a reminder that marketing doesn't have to scream to be heard. The Magic of UGC (User-Generated Content): Naadagama isn't a mere spectator sport; it's a canvas for UGC magic. Attendees don't just watch; they create. Social media buzz is fueled not by corporate campaigns but by the raw, unfiltered excitement of the community. It's a lesson in harnessing the power of user-generated content to amplify your brand. The GenZ Swagger: Let's talk about the GenZ swagger—the audacity to defy norms and the brilliance to make it work. Naadagama is a testament to the fearless spirit of GenZ marketers. They're not afraid to reinvent, to blur the lines between audience and artist, to let the community take the lead. The 'Openness': Modern audiences appreciate honesty and openness, not in-your-face selling. Naadagama embodies this ethos. The MC openly acknowledged past mistakes, aiming to rectify them and created an honest vibe. Despite personal challenges, like the lead singer's father passing away, the crowd empathized, standing in solidarity. What can marketers learn from Naadagama? Be Open and Honest: Create authenticity and trust. Embrace the Community Effect: Shift from traditional to community-driven strategies. Invest in #sonicbranding: Make your brand's sound memorable and resonant. Seamless Advertising Integration: Enhance rather than disrupt; seek partnerships that complement. #ugc as Your Amplifier: Encourage user-generated content for genuine enthusiasm. Fearless Innovation: Break molds; be fearless in pursuing innovation. Naadagama isn't just a concert; it's a marketing manifesto. In a noisy world, it's a reminder that authenticity, community, and innovation strike a lasting harmony.

For too long, we’ve built our economies as if nature were free. We draw down forests, deplete soil and pollute water without accounting for the costs. Yet more than half of global GDP depends on natural capital. What would it look like if we accounted for our natural assets? If our financial system properly valued forests, soils, biodiversity, clean water and air, and pollinators? I want to share three examples from our portfolio showing how this shift works in practice: Amazonía Emprende (Colombia) In the Colombian Amazon, Amazonía Emprende is restoring degraded lands and building a native seed center to supply high-quality seedlings and support ecosystem restoration. Their target: restore more than 150,000 hectares by 2031. They’re also exploring biodiversity credits — developing baselines to monetize regenerated habitat so preserving and restoring the forest becomes a revenue-generating asset. This creates income opportunities for local and Indigenous communities, replacing activities that drive deforestation with ones that deepen the value of nature. SiembraViva (Colombia) SiembraViva works with smallholder farmers to shift from low-yield commodities to organic, value-added crops. By migrating to regenerative practices, farmers improve water retention, reduce erosion and build soil organic carbon. They see the soil itself as a natural asset — a reservoir of resilience and value. When we treat soil as a balance-sheet item, we see how degraded land is a liability and healthy soil an asset to businesses and local economies. BURN (Kenya) BURN’s efficient cookstoves replace charcoal and firewood use, cutting household fuel costs and reducing pressure on forests. Their technology enables roughly 60 percent less charcoal use compared to standard stoves, averting deforestation and saving millions of tons of wood. By reducing tree-cutting for fuel, BURN helps shift forests from a hidden cost line to a natural asset line, sustaining clean air and preserving biodiversity and climate resilience. When companies and investors ignore natural assets, they’re betting on an unsustainable future. When we account for them properly, we open the door to regenerative models that treat nature not as a free input but as a core asset. The Belem Declaration on Hunger, Poverty and Human-Centered Climate Action at #COP30 reinforces how interconnected our systems are. If we don’t measure nature and build it into our balance sheets, we risk losing it. If we value it properly, we can build economies that regenerate, not extract — and that speak to the truth that our dignity is intertwined with how we treat all living things.

In Panama 🇵🇦, an Indigenous-led project rewrites the rules of reforestation Isidrio Hernandez-Ruiz’s affection for the guayacan trumpet tree’s bright yellow blooms is just one reason he’s embraced a reforestation effort across his land. A rural farmer, or campesino, Hernandez-Ruiz is part of an ambitious initiative that promises him long-term income from carbon sequestration—without the need to chop down his trees, reports Marlowe Starling. This reforestation project, set in Ñürüm in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, spans 100 hectares, with a broader vision covering 45,000 hectares of Indigenous land. Co-led by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and local leadership, the initiative aims to revitalize the deforested region. Local landowners retain full control of their plots, which are now home to native species like Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), a valuable timber tree, and other species capable of sequestering carbon. Yet, this project is not simply a carbon market play. It’s an experiment in ecological restoration, informed by decades of scientific research. In 2023, Smithsonian’s team found that high-value tree species like Cocobolo and zapatero (Hyeronima alchorneoides) grow well on low-fertility soils, making them viable choices for long-term reforestation in the area. The local community, initially skeptical of another governmental promise, has bought into the project through open dialogue and community-driven decision-making. But the project’s true strength lies in its collaborative nature. For over a year, Smithsonian researchers engaged with Ñürüm’s leadership and residents to ensure their participation was not just a top-down initiative but a shared effort. This unique relationship-building has fostered trust and is seen as a model for other communities. As Hernandez-Ruiz and his neighbors plant trees, they’re not only reversing deforestation—they’re setting the groundwork for an economically sustainable future, all while protecting the environment. It’s a long-term bet that could redefine conservation and livelihood strategies in rural Panama. 📰 Mongabay News: https://lnkd.in/gsP7fgMC

If your brand doesn’t have a community, it’s just another product. People don’t want to be “sold to.” They want to belong. And that’s exactly why community-led businesses are winning in 2024. They don’t just sell, they create movements. Look at the brands that are thriving right now: ✅ Glossier → Built an empire by making customers feel like insiders. ✅ Oura Ring → Grew from a niche health product to a loyal wellness tribe. ✅ Ellevest → More than a fintech company, it's a financial movement for women. So, how exactly have they done it? - Make your customers part of the brand. Don’t just market to them, create WITH them. User-generated content, ambassador programmes and real conversations build that loyalty. - Talk like a human, not a corp. Ditch the polished, robotic messaging. Community-led brands feel personal and relatable. - Give value FIRST. Want people to engage? Teach, entertain, inspire before EVER asking for a sale. - Make customers feel seen & heard. When people feel like they matter, they stick around. Engage in DMs, respond to comments and highlight your audience in your content. Bottom line: Transactional brands die. Community-driven brands thrive. Which are you building?