Economy for the Common Good

Economy for the Common Good (ECG) is a global social movement that advocates an alternative economic model, which is beneficial to people, the planet and future generations.^[1] The common good economy puts the common good, cooperation and community in the foreground. Human dignity, solidarity, ecological sustainability, social justice and democratic participation are also described as values of the common good economy. The movement behind the model started off in Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol in 2010 and quickly spread to many countries throughout the EU. It now has active groups in Africa, Latin America, North America and Asia.^[2] As of 2021, the movement consists of over 11,000 supporters, 180 local chapters^[3] and 35 associations.^[4]

Christian Felber coined the term "Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie" (Economy for the Common Good) in a best-selling book, published in 2010.^[5] According to Felber, it makes much more sense for companies to create a so-called "common good balance sheet" than a financial balance sheet. The common good balance sheet is a value-based measurement tool and reporting method for businesses, individuals, communities, and institutions,^[6] which shows the extent to which a company abides by values like human dignity, solidarity and economic sustainability.^[7]

More than 2,000 organizations, mainly companies,^[8] but also schools, universities, municipalities, and cities, support the concept of the Economy for the Common Good. A few hundred have used the Common Good Balance sheet as a means to do their “non-financial” reporting.^[9] These include Sparda-Bank Munich,^[10] the Rhomberg Group and Vaude Outdoor.^[11] Worldwide nearly 60 municipalities are actively involved in spreading the idea.

The ECG movement sees itself in a historical tradition from Aristotle to Adam Smith^[12] and refers to the fundamental values of democratic constitutions.