Re-empowering into voice: experiments in organic community co-production

This article explores and extrapolates an emerging concept within community practice: namely that of organic community coproduction. The concept is influenced by previous uses of the term ‘organic’, specifically as applied by Tönnies in relation to certain types of community, and Gramsci in respect of a concept of leadership. Our development of the term has been generated within the context of reflective practitioner experience, located in a community-led action campaign Voice4Deptford, in South East London. The case study explores the interdisciplinary roots of this form of coproduction. It highlights the way that these pre-existing principles and methods have been adapted, reflected upon and improvised in the light of 30 years’ grassroots engagement by Green to evolve a bespoke approach that we are proposing to call ‘organic community coproduction’.
The case study outlines several original dimensions or modalities of community organic coproduction including; stepping aside; the academic as a non-expert and giving voice. It unpacks the different elements of impact and transformation, that are consequent upon organic community coproduction. These include; evidence of change; working together and community reflective time. The article concludes with a discussion of the issues involved in reframing of local power, the campaigns early successes and its continuing challenges.