Using the Equitable Economies Library to Make Lasting Change

Health, wealth, and economic opportunities are not available equitably to everyone. However, changing policies to shift economic systems has the power to address economic inequality, center people and the planet, and create an economy that works for everyone. Long-term policy change is at the heart of real, sustainable improvements across communities.Through policy change we can transform systems, address system injustices, and improve vital community conditions for the long term.

The Advancing Equitable Economies Policy Library (Equitable Economies Library) is a searchable, online library of policies that can be leveraged to advance more equitable economies. It curates policies that address inequities and that provide equitable opportunities and prosperity for all. The library was created by the Well Being In The Nation Network (WIN Network), in partnership with Community Commons and the Institute for People, Place, and Possibility (IP3), through the combined efforts of people with diverse backgrounds.

Policies in the Library cover multiple sectors, can be implemented at a variety of scales, and center equity of people by advancing the ideas of organizations fighting against historical, structural racism. The 130+ policies are organized into eleven impact areas that are key in advancing more equitable economies. Created for all audiences, each policy description is carefully written in accessible, easy-to-understand language.

The Equitable Economies Library can be leveraged by change-makers in several ways. It serves as a reference for specific policies or policy ideas for addressing equity gaps. It can be used to guide dialogue about key issues that compromise equitable health and well-being. And it is a jumping-off point for learning more about promising policies and taking action.

Policies in the Equitable Economies Library are connected to a wealth of resources and stories from Community Commons to inspire change-makers to take action and advance more equitable economies. You will find:

Stories of community transformation, like Stockton launching a universal basic income pilot program to fight poverty;
Implementation libraries, including Bright Spots from 100 Million Healthier Lives communities around the world; and
A host of topics, resources, and collections, such as systems transformation for well-being and equity, Universal Basic Income, Targeted Universalism, Stewardship, and businesses’ role in a thriving and just world.

In addition, Community Commons organizes content around the Seven Vital Conditions for Well-Being to help change-makers reimagine policies and systems and conditions for well-being and equity more broadly. Policies in the Equitable Economies Library are grouped by the vital conditions they address, as indicated by the corresponding symbols on the page graphic. For example, the policy suggestion for expanding public transportation tackles Reliable Transportation and Meaningful Work & Wealth--it would provide access to affordable, reliable transportation to work, helping people get and keep jobs.

Explore the Equitable Economies Policy Guides below and visit the full Advancing Equitable Economies Policy Library to see all 11 policy briefs. Still have questions? Visit the Equitable Economies Library FAQ page.