The Community Economy
Recognising community contribution in a changing world
The Community Economy is a system being developed by Investors In Community to recognise and record the value people create through community contribution. Through the IIC platform, acts of giving such as volunteering, skills-sharing, mentoring and support are already being recorded as Community Credits. Over time, this growing record of contribution forms the foundation of the Community Economy.
What is the Community Economy?
The Community Economy is an emerging system designed to recognise and record the contributions people make to their communities.
It will sit alongside the traditional economy, ensuring acts of volunteering, support, skills-sharing and community care are recognised rather than overlooked.
The long-term goal is to create a structure where community contribution can be measured, understood and valued.
The Community Value Exchange is the next step in building a full Community Economy.
Why the Community Economy matters today
Work is changing rapidly. Automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping many traditional roles, and fewer people will be able to rely on stable paid employment alone.
Yet people continue to give time, skills, care and support that hold communities together.
Much of this contribution already exists, but it often sits outside formal systems and goes unrecognised.
The Community Economy moves us towards a future where these contributions finally count.
How the Community Economy will be built
Verified community contribution
Every act of giving recorded on the IIC platform becomes a Community Credit – a verified record of real community action.
These Credits form the foundation of the Community Economy.
Building a reliable contribution dataset
For a future Community Value Exchange to work, we first need consistent and credible evidence of contribution.
The platform provides a structured way to record and build this dataset over time.
Developing the Community Value Exchange
With strong foundations in place, the next stage being explored is the Community Value Exchange.
Future
The Community Value Exchange explores how these Credits could one day help support access to essential needs such as:
- Food
- Household bills
- Basic supplies
- Local services
The aim is not to replace money, but to ensure that community contribution carries real recognition and value.
The Community Value Exchange is currently under development and forms part of the long-term vision for the Community Economy.
Built collaboratively
A Community Economy cannot be created by one organisation alone.
It will only succeed through collaboration between:
- Businesses
- Charities
- Communities
- Individuals
- Public and private organisations
Why we are building the Community Economy?
The world of work is shifting.
What will not change is people’s willingness to support one another and contribute to their communities.
We believe that contribution should be recognised, valued and supported – not left invisible.
The Community Economy is our long-term response to making community contribution visible, measurable and recognised.
Key questions about the Community Economy
What is the Community Economy?
The Community Economy is a system designed to recognise and record the value people create through volunteering, skills-sharing and community support. It will sit alongside the traditional economy to ensure contribution is visible and measurable.
What is the Community Value Exchange?
The Community Value Exchange is a future system that could allow Community Credits to help people access essential goods and services. The aim is not to replace money, but to ensure community contribution carries real value.
What are Community Credits?
Community Credits are verified records of contribution captured through the IIC platform. When individuals or organisations support community activity, their contribution is recorded and becomes part of a growing dataset of social value.
Why is the Community Economy needed?
As automation and AI reshape employment, communities will still depend on people who give time, skills and care. The Community Economy ensures these contributions are recognised rather than overlooked.
Start the conversation
The foundations of the Community Economy are already being built through the Community Credits earned on the IIC Platform, but it will only succeed through collaboration.
If you are interested in learning more, please get in touch.