Within a general orientation towards growth, ecologic (Meadows et al. 2004), economic (e.g.Martinez Alier 2009) as well as social (Hirsch 1976) problems remain unsolved. Modern approaches seek applicability in reduction of emissions (see Kyoto protocol, COP 21 2015) and Green-New-Deal-trade-offs to cope with a globalized village. The maxim is to produce, act and be ‘sustainable’ – but – within the margins of capitalism.

Reflecting that governmental actors do not have any incentive to the change circumstances that foster and stabilize the capitalist framework and individuals also are not to be mobilized up for a critical mass to build a broad base for a change (e.g. Ayres 2008; Kerschner 2010), the question ‘How to initiate the great transformation?’ thwarts. For that reason the papers argues for a perspective on the level of the organization.

Within management studies sustainable approaches are phrased as Green-New-Deal-entrepreneurship (e.g. Kearins et al. 2010) or performative Critical Management Studies (e.g. Spicer et al. 2009). In fact they do not question the problematic orientation on growth.

The question being addressed in this paper is: How can solidarity organizations be seen as a possible approach for a turn of practical economic thinking beyond capitalist logics and toward a general societal transformation?

One aim of this papers is the sensitization for solidarity organizations as a toehold within a

degrowth perspective not to take state actors or consumers in primary responsibility. Second, the

paper tries to discuss the potential of the elimation of structural drawbacks for solidarity organizations in a world where globalization is not to be withdrawn.

This media entry was a contribution to the special session „Solidarity organizations“ at the 5th International Degrowth Conference in Budapest in 2016.