Front and Centered and the People’s Economy Lab are excited to announce a call for applications for the 2022 New Economy Washington Frontline Community Fellowship Program!
Have an idea or an active project to make systemic change in our economy? Interested in getting support on your project and being part of a cohort of others with shared values? We are inviting Applications for systems change projects for a just, transformative and regenerative economy from individuals or organizations from communities of color on the frontlines of an unjust system.
The Fellowship Program objective is to support communities to experiment in making change to the underlying conditions of our economy, toward an economy of democracy and community control, that is sustainable and equitable, and creates shared economic well-being by fulfilling local BIPOC needs. Examples from our inaugural 2021 Fellows include:
- Indigenous artists reclaiming stolen land and building vehicles to empower Native creative economies
- Black-led organizations building community controlled development infrastructure that builds generational wealth and combats displacement
- Gig workers unions winning ground breaking labor protections and creating mutual aid systems that combat the devastating effects of COVID-19
- Latina community leaders creating urban farming and food systems that they own and control cooperatively
- And more!
“During the period of the fellowship we applied for and were granted 501c3 nonprofit status, and received 2 million dollars in support of our land acquisition project from the City of Seattle, hired our first part time staffer and began meeting and planning as a board more regularly – the supportive group of peers and mentors in the fellowship certainly helped us keep up momentum and achieve a tremendous amount of growth as an organization”
– Asia Tail, Director of Yəhaw̓ Indigenous Artists Collective
This fellowship empowers emerging new economy leaders to advance their pilot initiatives. Four to five fellowships will be selected and allocated initial grants to advance their project and participate in a cohort of Frontline Community Fellows. As a Fellow, you will receive:
- Grant of $8,000 to $10,000
- Relationship building and peer learning
- Customized project support
- Access to technical experts and professional development learning opportunities
- Opportunities to showcase project and consult with funder communities and other partners
- New this year, Fellows will join a participatory budgeting process for the 2022 New Economy Washington Fund, a community controlled funding pool of up to $100,000* to be distributed at the discretion of fellows and other new economy leaders and organizations
How to Apply – Application Information
Please fill out the Online Application Form and/or submit via a Word Doc (in either form 3 pages max) that answers the questions in the form, including:
- Tell us about yourself (individual/team) and your relationship to the community your project serves.
- What Washington state geography does your project cover?
- What stage is your project currently in?
- What is the systemic problem you’re trying to address? How does your solution transform the economy?
- What is your project and approach, and what outcomes do you seek to achieve?
- Who is the community you are serving and how have they been involved in developing your approach? Please describe your community demographics.
- Please provide the total amount of funding needed for the project with categories of spending.
Updated deadline to apply is May 6, 2022
Know someone who might be interested in applying? Help us spread the word and support systemic change in our community by sharing this post. Any questions? Contact Njuguna Gishuru at [email protected].
*We are actively fundraising for the 2022 New Economy Washington Fund. If you are interested in contributing to our community controlled fund, please contact [email protected].
