Human Learning Systems: Building community power from the grassroots up
'We know that current structures inherently exclude and marginalise whole swathes of people. We are building new participative models of community decision-making and supporting local people to feel confident enough to be part of them. We are changing and extending who gets to participate in decision-making and changing the ways in which decisions are made and power is exercised.'
The Gateshead Community Bridgebuilders (GCB) are a team of individuals who represent many of the diverse communities of Gateshead. This team has at its disposal an annual budget which it uses to run experiments which try to challenge the systems that marginalise and build the power of local communities.
The Bridgebuilders all have funded roles which enable them to get involved in the experiments which come out of the collective decisions.
This work is a blend of experimental many-to-many governance, foregrounding and championing lived experience, and community development.
In this session, Gateshead Community Bridgebuilders members Paul Kerr and Andy Crosbie will share the story of the GCB and the ways in which it is an example of Human Learning Systems principles in action.
