In 2016, TESA Collective worked with a number of talented organizations and groups to co-create inspiring projects that support building democratic education and collective processes.
Here are some quick project highlights:
Original art by Innosanto Nagara from Design Action Collective and Graphic Design by Molly McLeod
With support of over 700 backers, the crowdfunding campaign for TESA’s new game, Rise Up, was a success:
Through Rise Up: The Game of People and Power, players have fun while also discovering social movement strategies and tactics in an exciting, participatory setting. Rise Up activates imaginations and inspires dialogue about the change we need to create a more just, healthy world. The game will be out this spring. Learn more about the game, and pre-order it here.
TESA collaborated to develop curriculum for the city of New York’s Small Business Services program:
Working closely with the Small Business Services, TESA developed interactive curriculum for four different workshops, a train-the-trainers initiative, and a program assessment rubric. TESA also worked to insure that the curriculum was culturally sensitive, empowering, and participant centered. Furthermore, TESA was involved in the pilot of the workshops for Workforce1 customers, staff, and the NYC Department of Small Business Services.
TESA worked with Manos Unidas to develop Fronteras Comunes Bilingual Zine into a worker cooperative:
TESA has been working with Manos Unidas members to develop a phased marketing plan for Fronteras Comunes that includes strategies for developing revenues from subscriptions, advertisements, distribution and/or sponsorship. The marketing plan also identifies needs for business planning, social media marketing, and organizational development. TESA is also working with Fronteras Comunes to support web design and upkeep in 2017, and to develop an internal training Mentorship Program.
A map of the farm-focused coop developed by students in a class at the Franklin County jail in Massachusetts
We started our 3rd year teaching for Greenfield Community College at local jails in Massachusetts:
In 2012, TESA first taught the course “Creating Farm and Food Focused Cooperatives,” which we also designed through the Inside-Out Program. Over the course of each semester, TESA has worked with students to develop and discuss ideas around economic democracy and labor. They then form small groups and cultivate their own business plans and bylaws that then culminate in the development and presentation of their own co-op projects.
TESA entered our 2nd year Working with Northern Manhattan Improvement Company in New York City:
In this project, TESA worked with NMIC on revamping their existing workshop program from the ground up to provide tenants with a new series of workshops, and support models aimed at building long-term plans inclusive of housing cooperative training.
TESA began our first year working on the PRIME Grant Project:
TESA Collective, in partnership with The Cooperative Fund of New England, The Boston Center for Community Ownership and The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, received a grant to develop a cooperative academy in the Franklin County House of Corrections in Western Massachusetts, as well as programs designed specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals.
For a complete profiles on these projects and more, please visit the Selected Portfolio on our website.