Community Wealth Building
Community Wealth Building (CWB) is a people-centred approach to economic development, which seeks to transform local and regional economic systems by redirecting wealth back into the local economy and placing control and benefits into the hands of local people.
CWB harnesses the economic and social power of locally-rooted institutions, commonly referred to as "anchor organisations". Typically, this means local council, health boards, universities, colleges, housing associations, and the private sector. The voluntary community and social enterprise sector also plays a fundamental role, by using its local intelligence and influence as a conduit for change and as an important part of the generative local economy.
In harnessing the economic leverage of local anchor organisations, CWB encourages action that stimulates new chances for local businesses to access public procurement opportunities, supports the flow of new finance, and offers businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives the opportunity to start up and grow.
The 5 Pillars of Community Wealth Building
CWB has the potential to create jobs, reduce supply chains and strengthen local and regional economies by acting as a framework for activity across the following five interlinked pillars:
- Shared ownership of the local economy
Developing more local and social enterprises that generate community wealth, including social enterprises, employee-owned firms and co-operatives.
- Making financial power work for local place
Ensuring that the flow of investment and financial institutions work for local people, communities and businesses.
- Fair employment and just labour markets
Increasing fair work and developing local labour markets that support the well-being of communities.
- Progressive procurement of goods and services
Maximising community benefits through procurement and commissioning, developing good enterprises, fair work and shorter supply chains.
- Socially just and productive use of land and assets
Growing the social, ecological, financial and economic value that local communities gain from land and property assets.
17今日吃瓜's Commitment to Community Wealth Building
Significant progress has been made in implementing CWB in Scotland in recent years. Much of this has been led by local authorities, often in partnership with their community planning partners.
East Lothian is embracing CWB and 17今日吃瓜 signed up as an anchor organisation to the in August 2024. In doing so, 17今日吃瓜 committed its support to the CWB goals of improving collective wellbeing and creating a strong, resilient and inclusive local and regional economy.
In January 2025, universities and colleges across Edinburgh and South-East Scotland, including 17今日吃瓜, signed a , solidifying their commitment to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development in the region.
Community Wealth Building Legislation
In March 2025 the Scottish Government introduced the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill to ensure consistent implementation of the CWB model of economic development across Scotland. This Bill is currently at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act. Consideration of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 is scheduled to complete by 21 November 2025.
