The Economy of the Common Good

The Economy of the Common Good (EBC), initiated in 2010 by Austrian economist Christian Felber, proposes to put the economy back at the service of the general interest.
This internationally recognised model, supported in particular by the European Economic and Social Committee, considers that the purpose of the economy must be: a good life for all, on a healthy planet.

The Economy of the Common Good calls on us to go beyond traditional indicators such as GDP to assess true prosperity: that which benefits the collective, society and environment.

Fundamental values

The Economy of the Common Good is based on four essential values, which guide how organizations interact with all their stakeholders:

  • Human dignity
  • Solidarity and social justice
  • Ecological sustainability
  • Transparency and democratic participation

These values serve as a compass to guide relationships with employees, clients, suppliers, financial partners and the broader society.

A comprehensive vision

The EBC aims to model of society where:

  • Trust and social cohesion are strengthened,

  • Organisations operate at human size,

  • Fundamental rights are respected,

  • Economy aligns with values ethics, sustainable and oriented towards the welfare of all.

The objective is simple: make the economy a tool for the common good, not the reverse.

Key Tools for the Economy of the Common Good

The Review of the Common Good

It is the main tool for assessing an organization's contribution to the common good.
It analyses how fundamental values are applied daily in relations with:

  • Suppliers,

  • The employees,

  • Customers,

  • The owners and financial partners,

  • Civil society.

Each dimension is measured and allows to obtain an overall score, making visible the ethical and societal performance an organisation.

The Matrix of the Common Good

The Matrix organizes the evaluation by crossing:

  • The four values of the common good,

  • The five stakeholder groups.

This cross-section gives rise to twenty specific themes, which allow a rigorous analysis of the practices of an organisation and their real contribution to collective well-being.

The Ecogood Business Canvas

Sustainable alternative and ethical At the Business Model Canvas, the Ecogood Business Canvas structure an economic model around these points:

  • The purpose and vision of the organisation,
  • Creating value for all stakeholders,
  • Financial flows analysed in terms of their social utility,
  • The global contribution to the common good, in connection with the Matrix of the Common Good.

Thought to respond to current challenges such as ecological transition, social responsibility or responsible innovationIt enables the design of coherent, sustainable and fully aligned economic models with EBC values.

A future model

Why engage in the Common Good Economy?

Engaging in the Common Good Economy brings several benefits:

  • Better attractiveness to clients and partners,
  • Promoting societal and environmental impact,
  • A more ethical positioning on the market,
  • The possibility, in certain contexts, of benefits such as more favourable financing conditions or easier access to public procurement.

The more an organization acts for the common good, the clearer, visible and recognized its commitment.

A more structured model than the positive economy or the impact economy

The economy of the Common Good is distinguished by:

  • A clear theoretical framework,
  • Concrete tools,
  • Accurate and measurable indicators.

Where the positive economy or the impact economy brings together diverse approaches without a strict common benchmark, the EBC offers a unified, consolidated and coherent methodology.
It thus aligns economic practices with a clearly defined objective: the common good.

A recognized and growing movement

Over 2,000 organizationsincluding enterprises, NGOs, municipalities, institutions and universities, already support the economy of the Common Good.
Some have published their own balance sheet of the Common Good, such as Greenpeace Luxembourg or the cooperative bank Sparda-Bank Munich.
Leading companies such as Vaude and several European institutions have also integrated these principles into their management and piloting tools.

This development demonstrates that the Economy of the Common Good is a serious, operational and increasingly internationally adopted model.

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