“Digital Cooperative Platforms” in Brussels

Context

The commons are driven by citizens’ initiatives, including an increasing amount of digital opportunities as well as new technologies which have the power to transform democracy. This topic will be addressed in the upcoming workshop in Brussels hosted together with Etopia. The event is a part of our ongoing project Reclaim the Commons which aims to explore the transformative power of the commons, whilst involving the Greens and a wider audience around this topic.

Workshop in Brussels

This event will have a special focus on the role of digital platforms in the context of commons and their impact on the economy. Digital platforms are affecting the relationship between suppliers and customers, as well as forcing certain sectors to reposition themselves or even to disappear. Competition rules also become more harsh and pose many social problems, with the examples of Uber and AirBnB. Faced with these pressures, we observe new dynamics developing around the models of cooperative platforms. The contribution of the commons can represent a new element energising these structures, making them more flexible and more resilient. What are the models emerging in this way? And how do we organise these platforms?

Such relevant questions will be discussed by the following speakers:

• Stéphane Boulanger from Febecoop (Brussels)
• Jean-Philippe Lens  from Topino (Gembloux)
• Alexandre Ségura & Kevin Poperl from Coopcycle (Paris)

Time & Venue

The workshop will be hosted on Thursday, 12 October 2017, from 11h00 to 13h00 in the premises of Etopia in Brussels (Place des Barricades 1, 4th floor).

Registration

Please sign up by sending an email to jonathan.piron@etopia.be.