:Title:    Ned-Uganda as a Community Investment Enterprise
:Author:   David Braden
:Date:     Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:31:49 PDT
:URL:      http://www.ned.com/group/neduganda/news/2/

This topic arises out of questions I have on Munnu's soap making project as a community project and its relationship to other community projects and the issuance of bananas.

My conception of a community investment enterprise is based on designing `economies of integration`_ and employing `economics of integrated production`_. The model I have been using is called a `Self-help corporation`_.

.. _`economies of integration`: http://www.aboutus.org/3DN_Whole_System_Design_Process

.. _`economics of integrated production`: http://www.aboutus.org/3DN_Economics_of_Integrated_Production

.. _`Self-help corporation`: http://www.aboutus.org/3DN_Self-help_Corporation

In the case of the soap project, the basic idea was that people would be issued "bananas" for working in the soap business and would then receive a share of profits based on the number of bananas they had earned.  It was further suggested that the initial capital would be obtained by donation with a promise to use a portion of the profits for a revolving development fund.

Without more definition, that will quickly become complicated where bananas are also issued for such things as bead making and redeemable for such things as internet access.

I am suggesting we think in terms of all the things that we can produce for consumption within the community and in terms of bananas as an internal currency.  The "community" can cooperate in acquiring assets such as soap making equipment - requiring the definition of the ownership entity, who issues bananas, who values bananas, etc.

I hope others are as excited about the possibilities as I am.