In partnership with Gwendolyn Hallsmith of Global Community Initiatives, NCS provides community leaders and citizens with the information they need to mobilize their community for sustainable economic renewal. Economic renewal enhances community well-being in an array of ways.  It creates real jobs. It strengthens local businesses. It improves quality of life. This new approach fosters environmental integrity, social cohesion, good governance and equitable economic opportunity.

The LASER team brings over 30 years of experience in economic development in rural communities, urban neighborhoods and in emerging economies. We have worked in over 30 countries on 5 continents. The team helps communities move forward with confidence and enthusiasm to achieve their vision for a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, good governance, and a sense of connection to their neighbors and the world. LASER projects foster democratic practices, social and economic justice, respect and care for the community of life and environmental integrity. We work to create a context where people feel inspired to work for positive change.  For more read global-community.org.

LASER emerged from years of work with communities around the world. It was first tested in a joint workshop NCS and GCI presented for America’s Development Foundation (ADF) in Serbia, December of 2005.  ADF hired the LASER team to teach their community mobilization specialists how to strengthen local economies. The next edition of the LASER workbook will be completed by June of 2006 and launched at the BALLE Conference in Burlington, Vermont June 8-10.

[Click Here] for more information on the conference (livingeconomies.org/events/conference06).

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.

LASER Table of Contents

Global Community Initiatives, Natural Capitalism Solutions 
~~~LASER:  Local Action for Sustainable Economic Renewal
~~~Introductory Materials:  The Big Picture
~~~Systems Approach to Community Renewal
~~~Dialogue with Community Leaders
~~~How to Use the Workbook
~~~Part One:  Community Mobilization
~~~Organization and Leadership
~~~Local Models for Economic Renewal Organizations
~~~Non-Profit Community Development Corporations
~~~Municipal Economic Development Departments
~~~Business Leadership Initiatives
~~~Business and Industry Networks and Coalitions
~~~Public-Private Partnerships
~~~Leadership Development
~~~Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
~~~Stakeholder Recruitment and Training
~~~Group Process Skills
~~~Conflict Management
~~~Participatory Visioning
~~~Creating Excitement and Momentum for LASER Planning
~~~Engagement Strategies
~~~Community Prioritization Exercises
~~~Asset Inventory:  Human Needs and Community Capital
~~~Social and Institutional Assets
~~~Governance Systems
~~~Business and Organization Inventory
~~~Human Resource Inventory
~~~Natural Environment
~~~Capital Stock Evaluation
~~~Capacity Assessment
~~~Market Research
~~~SWOT Analysis
~~~Setting Goals and Targets
~~~Asset Based, End State Goals
~~~SMART Targets
~~~Identifying Indicators
~~~Part Two:  Whole System Strategy Design
~~~Integrated Strategies
~~~Economic Renewal Principles for the 21st Century
~~~Fostering a Creative Economy
~~~New Millennium Growth Industries
~~~Enabling Sustainable Local Business Development
~~~Closing the Gaps:  Import Substitution, Wealth Retention
~~~Adding Value to Natural Resources
~~~Making Globalization Work for the Community
~~~Business and Market Assistance
~~~Jobs/Employer Support
~~~Peer-to-Peer Advisor Services
~~~Livable Wage Assistance
~~~Early Warning System
~~~Succession Planning
~~~Employee Ownership Options
~~~Enterprise Support
~~~Feasibility Study Assistance
~~~Business Incubators
~~~Non-Profit Incubators
~~~Non-Profit Enterprise Development
~~~Business and Organizational Planning Assistance
~~~Recruiting Outside Enterprises
~~~Joint Ventures
~~~New Generation Cooperatives
~~~Cooperative Employee Partnership Programs
~~~Cluster Competitiveness and Target Industries
~~~Building Community Capital
~~~Natural Capital
~~~Investing in Eco-Logical Businesses
~~~Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
~~~Sustainable Construction
~~~Sustainable Agriculture
~~~Eco-tourism
~~~Farmer's Markets
~~~Branding and Marketing Forest Products
~~~Green Maps
~~~Community Land Trusts
~~~Outdoor Recreation
~~~Social Capital
~~~Strengthening Caring Capacity
~~~Community Resilience
~~~Celebrating Diversity
~~~Building Networks:  Local Exchange Trading System
~~~Time Dollars for Community Service
~~~Empowerment for Marginalized Populations
~~~Entrepreneur Network Facilitation
~~~Human Capital
~~~Creating and Supporting Entrepreneurs
~~~Youth Entrepreneurs
~~~Women Entrepreneurs
~~~Self-Employment Training and Support
~~~Basic Skills Development
~~~Life Skills Programs
~~~Literacy Training
~~~Volunteering for Experience
~~~Employment Services
~~~Career Planning
~~~Job Search and Placement
~~~Mentoring
~~~Mature Worker Retraining
~~~Targeted Training
~~~Health Care Options
~~~Child Care Support
~~~Transportation Services
~~~Institutional Capital
~~~Rule of Law
~~~Land Tenure System
~~~National and Regional Alliances
~~~Community Owned Venture Development
~~~Participatory Local Government
~~~Neighborhood Planning Assemblies
~~~Referenda and Initiatives
~~~Financial Capital
~~~Community Financing
~~~Development Loan Funds
~~~Equity Investment Funds
~~~Reinvestment from Banks
~~~Revolving Loan Funds
~~~Loan Guarantee Programs
~~~Community Foundations
~~~Private Sources
~~~Credit Unions
~~~Microfinance Cooperatives
~~~Equity Match-Making
~~~Program-Related Investment (Faith groups)
~~~Social Enterprise Investments
~~~Individual Development Accounts
~~~Royalty-Based Financing
~~~Complementary Currencies
~~~Fiat Currencies
~~~Time Dollars
~~~Local Exchange Trading System (LETS)
~~~Loyalty Currencies
~~~Mutual Credit Systems
~~~Technological Capital
~~~Internet Opportunities
~~~Eco-efficient Technologies
~~~Technological Audits
~~~Renewable Energy Investment
~~~Cultural Capital
~~~Historic and Cultural Facilities
~~~Recreational Areas
~~~Cultural Heritage Tourism
~~~Community Tourism
~~~Built Capital (Infrastructure)
~~~Municipal Services
~~~Electrical Services
~~~Communication Links
~~~Pedestrian Streets, Bicycle Paths, and Roads
~~~Public Transit
~~~Industrial Areas
~~~Affordable Housing
~~~Solid Waste Management and Recycling
~~~Part Three:  Project Implementation
~~~Partnerships
~~~Engaging Stakeholders in Action Planning
~~~Criteria and Guidelines for Partnering 
~~~Procurement 
~~~Sustainable Procurement Guidelines
~~~Training Programs 
~~~Budgets and Workplans 
~~~Worksheets and Exercises 
~~~Monitoring and Evaluation 
~~~Conclusion 
~~~Part Four:  Tools for Practitioners
~~~System Implementation Issues:  Getting Results
~~~Handouts for Community Groups on LASER Approach
~~~LASER PowerPoints for Practitioners
~~~Case Stories for Individual Countries
~~~CCE:  Center for Community Enterprise Workbook
~~~EarthCAT:  Earth Charter Community Action Tool
~~~OHW:  On Human Wealth

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	Hunter Lovins is the president of Natural Capitalism Solutions. A renowned author and champion of sustainable development for over 30 years, she has managed international non-profits, taught at major universities, advised citizens’ groups, governments and corporations, created several corporations. [Click Here] to read Hunter's biography, see photos, listen to audio, or see video of Hunter presenting. [Click Here] to read Hunter's web page on this site.
	Christopher Juniper is a Consultant for NCS. He has been on the leading edge of environmental and sustainability solutions for over a quarter century as a consultant, economic development manager, teacher, activist, business owner, writer, radio producer and community development board member. [Click Here] to read Christopher's biography or see photos. [Click Here] to read Christopher's web page on this site.
	Gwendolyn Hallsmith is a Senior Consultant for NCS and founder of Global Community Initiatives (GCI). [Click Here] to read Gwendolyn's web page on this site. [Click Here] to read more about Global Community Initiatives.

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Past Economic Renewal Audiences

• America's Development Foundation (ADF) and community mobilization specialists in Serbia

• On The Frontier (OTF) Group (Waterton, MA)

• UN Development Programme (Kabul, Afghanistan)

• Afghan Cluster Competitiveness Council (Kabul, Afghanistan)

• Jamaican Cluster Competitiveness Council (Lucea, Jamaica)

• Dolphin Head Trust (Lucea, Jamaica)

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What People Say . . .

December 2005
Dear Hunter, Gwendolyn and Christopher,

Hope you arrived well home for Christmas. Happy new year to all of you.

Once more thank you really very much for such qualitative seminar with workshops you three have done.

Please find attached some photos from training.

Regards to all of you,
- Vlastimir Milosavljevic, J.D.
Regional Office Director, America's Development Foundation (Serbia)

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CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LASER

P.O. Box 398

Eldorado Springs, CO 80025

Tel: 303-554-0723

Fax: 303-554-6548