The Future is Collective Case Studies of Collective Social Innovation 2025

Capability Activities Hosting learning communities and building capacityConducting research and hosting resource libraries: StreetNet conducts and commissions research, reports and position papers to document the current status of informal economy workers and showcase effective policy and advocacy strategies for organizations, trade unions and governments. StreetNet catalogues and disseminates this information in an online resource library hosted on its website. Providing leadership training and support: StreetNet conducts leadership training for newly- appointed office holders, which builds the capacity of street vendors to hold positions of global leadership in future. StreetNet also hosts monthly “Discussion Clubs”, hosting speakers with expertise and diverse perspectives in the informal economy. All affiliate organizations are invited and the virtual sessions are offered in the four working languages of the alliance. These sessions also offer StreetNet the opportunity to identify emerging leaders among the membership. Conducting training and capacity building: Workers’ education is one of StreetNet’s core activities. StreetNet develops and delivers courses in negotiation skills, strategic communication, crowdfunding, right to the city, cross-border trade and organizing. StreetNet also has a partnership with the International Federation of Workers Education Association (IFWEA) to develop online courses on the online platform Online Labour Academy (OLA). StreetNet also partners with WIEGO to develop courses accessible on the Rise digital platform. Investing in systemic solutionsSub-granting to collectives: Over the last two years, with financial resources from donors, StreetNet has provided small subgrants for affiliate organization activities. In these instances, StreetNet opens up an application process for grants with a criteria list for organizations to apply. Aside from providing resources, this process also allows affiliate organizations to develop their fundraising and grant application skills. StreetNet also uses its platform to conduct crowdsourcing campaigns during times of crisis, such as the war in Ukraine and flooding in Bangladesh and Malawi.Collective action activities (continued) Albertina Carlota Simango is the Vice-President of the Association for the Informal Economy (AEIMO) in Mozambique, which represents 15,000 members, mostly street traders. Albertina has been an informal economy vendor for over 30 years, rising to her position of leadership by looking out for her fellow vendors and understanding their needs, while also challenging the idea that only men can be in positions of leadership. She explains, “The life of an informal economy vendor is very complicated. It is hard, you need a lot of strength, courage and a lot of determination. When we started selling, each of us would leave the house, look for a stall, buy it and start vending. We didn’t have anyone to defend our goals or us as workers. We had no organization to lead us. We suffered a lot. We were persecuted, chased away. We would enter the market, we cooked in fear, we didn’t know if we’d finish in time to sell without the municipality showing up.”Through the efforts of AEIMO, as well as the international solidarity of global alliances such as StreetNet, informal economy vendors in Mozambique have organized diligently to gain legitimacy and secure their rights from municipal governments. These improved conditions and protections have enabled street vendors to better provide for their families, save money and secure better lives for their children. Albertina says, “Because of our strength, our courage, today the municipality is like our brother. Everything is already organized … Now we are at ease in the market. If the municipality comes, it’s to discuss, to exchange experiences, to know how the activity is going – it’s not chasing us anymore. The municipality first comes to discuss with our organization, AEIMO, then we discuss with the vendors, raise awareness and all ends well. It helped us to save some money, build our homes, educate our kids … I’m very proud to be an informal economy worker.” Source: Adapted from: StreetNet International. (2024, 31 October). Albertina's Impact Story: Empowering women and breaking the poverty cycle in Mozambique. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVm3WON_qms Case vignette: Rising to a position of leadership in the informal economy The Future is Collective: Case Studies of Collective Social Innovation 51