About us
Local Futures is an international non-profit organization dedicated to renewing ecological and social well-being by strengthening communities and local economies worldwide. In other words: building an economics of happiness.
Who we are
The Local Futures team works from four continents, with main offices in the USA, Australia and the UK.
Founder and director Helena Norberg-Hodge is a widely-respected analyst of the global economy’s impacts on communities, local economies, and personal identity around the world. Read more about Helena here.
Who we are
The Local Futures team can be found on four continents, with main offices in the USA, Australia and the UK.
Helena Norberg-Hodge is the founder and director, a widely respected analyst of the impact of the global economy on community, economy, and personal identity around the world. Click for full bio here.
What we do
Share the big picture
We illuminate and explore the systemic root causes of our current global crises with our books, films, campaigns, ‘education for action’ tools, and worldwide activist-oriented events.
Unite and connect
We focus on root causes, not symptoms, to create common ground among activists, small farmers, indigenous communities, main street business owners—and everyone else.
Show a path forward
We promote economic localization—shifting our economies towards place-based, human-scale activity—as a strategy for change that simultaneously addresses our many crises.
We localize
We’ve developed a strategy for change that simultaneously addresses our multiple crises. It’s called economic localization, and we highlight the steps needed to get us there.
We expose the big picture
We educate millions on the systemic root causes of our current crises with our books, films, campaigns, ‘education for action’ tools and worldwide activist-oriented events.
We unite and connect
We focus on root causes together rather than symptoms separately. We unite activists, small farmers, indigenous communities, main street business owners, and everyone in between.
Our vision
We envision a localized future where most of our food comes from nearby farmers who are a part of our community and who ensure food security year round. Where money we spend on everyday goods continues to recirculate in the local economy, building community prosperity along the way. Where multinational businesses and banks adhere to the rules of society – not the other way around. Where local businesses are thriving and multiplying, thereby providing ample, meaningful livelihoods for everyone.
Our history
Local Futures was founded in 1978 to counteract the forces eroding Ladakh’s indigenous culture. As our work has grown internationally over the last forty years, we remain committed to working alongside local leaders to forge a brighter future for Ladakh.
Our history
Local Futures was founded in 1978 to counteract the forces eroding Ladakh’s indigenous culture. Our work has grown internationally over the last forty years, but we remain committed to working alongside local leaders to forge a brighter future for Ladakh.
Find out more
Our projects
We are catalyzing a movement through our annual World Localization Day, conferences, webinars, and more.
Action resources
Use these resources to learn how the global economy is plunging us into crises, and how you can support local economies.
Our books, reports and videos
A comprehensive overview of our books, films and reports, which have collectively been translated into over 40 languages.
We are a 501(c)3 organization incorporated in California. We adhere to Bylaws adopted in 1991, including oversight by a Board of Directors. Our funding comes largely from individual donors and foundations, as well as from the sale of publications and videos, and lecture and writing fees.
