Partnering with regions to return economic power to local communities by strengthening sustainable local business and enterprise, local investment, local procurement, local supply chains, local food production and local manufacturing.

Local Living Economy (LLE) is all about bringing economic power back into local regions, communities, businesses and households. It's about 'thinking local first' as LLE pioneer Michael Shuman says.

Local Living Economies include:

• local residents and businesses purchasing local goods and services...
• local folks investing in local enterprises...
• local financial institutions supporting local businesses, enterprises and economies...
• local, independent media supporting local communities...
• local government policies at all levels, enabling and empowering local business, enterprise, economy, environment, community...
• local businesses paying their staff living wages...

Local Living Economy is about real sustainability residing locally in place, people, environment and enterprise.

Over the past few years, the idea and reality of Local Living Economies has begun to gain increasing momentum around the world. It's in the work of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh which provides small loans to women starting up micro-businesses in their home communities. It's in rural communities such as Boonah, Tamborine Mountain and Canungra in South East Queensland's Scenic Rim Region which are maintaining vibrant and enterprising local economies. It's in urban villages such as West End in Brisbane and the southern communities of the Gold Coast, Queensland, which are home to a wondrous diversity of small, local businesses and culturally-rich communities.

Our Local Living Economy journey...

The Ethos Foundation works closely with LLE leaders in South East Queensland and internationally to help support the evolution and application of LLE in Australia. Over the past few years we have connected with LLE pioneers Helena Norberg-Hodge, Ernesto Sirolli, Judy Wicks and Michael Shuman to learn about the philosophy and practices of LLE and their potential for LLE in South East Queensland and Northern NSW.

In 2008, Ethos collaborated closely with the Logan Office of Economic Development (LOED) including Nick McGuire and Tony Chadwick, to help design and facilitate LLE workshops for local businesses and policymakers.

Since 2008, Ethos has been in conversation with the US-based Business Alliance for Local Living Economy (BALLE) about a proposal to establish Australia's first BALLE Hub in South East Queensland.

In 2009 Ethos consultant Sally MacKinnon and Nick McGuire co-wrote and co-presented the paper "Learning As We Go: Cross-Boundary Collaboration to Grow Local Living Economy in SEQ" for the International Association for Community Development's international conference Community Centred Economies.

Ethos’ coordination of the Building Sustainable Small Business program in the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast during 2008-09 introduced well over 100 local, small business owners and operators to Local Living Economy in practical and relevant ways through workshops, a mentoring, training and leadership program and networking gatherings.

During 2010, the Ethos Foundation continued to work closely with Logan Office of Economic Development and Scenic Rim Regional Council.

In 2011 the Ethos Foundation is delighted to be working with Southern Cross University. The first stage of this partnership is the development of a discussion paper about Local Living Economy and it’s potential for Australia. The paper is now available - to obtain a copy please contact Dr Sally MacKinnon on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The next stage of the project will be the development of pilot projects in regional areas – more information coming soon.

For more information about our Local Living Economy and Sustainable Small Business work please contact Sally MacKinnon at email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it