B.2.2 Sustainability and the need for funding

Inherent in AC is an attempt to shift the paradigm of what ‘lack of resources’ means. Questions, uncertainties, and doubts that revolve around the ‘lack of resources’ discourse are transformed into the development of power in valuing and in revaluing the existing resources that are not monetary or financial. The making of a Resource Map (See D.2) is part of the strategy for achieving sustainability, and highlighting non-monetary resources while at the same time embodying the possible output of the sustainability process.

Sustainability is thus a condition which captures the struggle and the process of defining, redefining, and experimenting with each member’s definition of themselves. It is a practice which expresses AC’s readiness for being in a state of perpetual invention and for decolonizing the existing power relationships. What emerges from this process is a series of choices, speculations and lessons that can be used to write our own history and future.

At the same time, however, AC acknowledges the need for monetary resources that are still obtained through “traditional” methods such as fundraising. Although AC works in shifting the paradigm of funding and the existing power dynamic within the funding scene, AC is also aware of its position within the existing paradigm. The need for fundraising is acknowledged. How to go about it remains the question. See Section E.3.2.c Fundraising.

Unresolved Question:

Sustainability, as the highest value for the ecosystem, is a fundamental component in the self-determination of the ecosystem and of each organization. This concept is addressed throughout this document and specifically in section B.2.

After participating in the June meeting in Utrecht in 2015 Stefano Harney and Tonika Sealy made the following comments:

“The move to self-sustainability within five years will be difficult but more importantly it may take more time, effort, and imagination than anticipated. This will be time away from other activities within the network, or indeed it may come to dominate these other activities. Perhaps more thinking about sustainability and funding needs to be undertaken? Perhaps a new activity needs to be dedicated to this goal?”

This question appears in different parts of this document, and the answers to it affect different mechanisms that have been initiated. It is important to clarify the AC position relating to sustainability.