The Offers and Needs Market (OANM) is an increasingly recognised tool within new economy movements worldwide, valued for its capacity to strengthen community resilience, rebuild social connection, and support the emergence of localised, human-scale economic systems. Grounded in principles of reciprocity, mutual aid, and community empowerment, the OANM provides a structured process through which participants can exchange knowledge, skills, resources, passions, and opportunities, while also articulating the things they need. As alternative economic models gain attention in response to ecological, social, and economic pressures, mechanisms such as the OANM demonstrate how practical, community-based initiatives can contribute to systemic transformation.
An OANM is typically conducted as a two-hour guided process. Participants gather—either online or in person—to identify not only what they can offer, but also what they require to support their wellbeing, their projects, or their daily lives. The scope is intentionally broad. Offers may include professional skills, mentoring, tutoring, tools, recipes, childcare, or access to a workspace. Needs may range from housing support to collaboration opportunities or assistance with a community initiative. The simplicity of the structure belies its transformative potential. By enabling participants to articulate their contributions and requirements in a supportive environment, the OANM helps uncover the latent capacities that exist within communities but often remain untapped in conventional market systems.
Importantly, the OANM is designed to be iterative. Its effectiveness increases when held regularly, as repeated gatherings enable trust to develop, connections to deepen, and patterns of mutual exchange to stabilise. Over time, recurring OANMs can lead to the formation of local economic networks characterised by reciprocity, reduced financial pressure, and strengthened social cohesion. In this sense, the OANM contributes directly to the broader aims of the new economy: to create systems that are equitable, regenerative, and attentive to human and ecological wellbeing.
NENA’s Localisation Hub recently organised an Offers and Needs Market workshop to introduce this model to members and to support the practical development of localisation initiatives across Australia. Facilitated by Anisa Rogers (Degrowth Network Australia and NENA Localisation Hub) and Samantha Wittenberg (Certified Offers and Needs Market Facilitator), the session brought together participants from a range of backgrounds, reaffirming that the OANM is accessible and relevant to people of all ages, including children. Throughout the workshop, attendees were guided through the OANM process, exploring how offers and needs can be identified, articulated, and matched in ways that build community resilience and economic autonomy.
The workshop also highlighted the role of the OANM in addressing the challenges of social isolation and fragmentation. By creating an environment in which individuals can share their interests, knowledge, and capacities, the OANM fosters interpersonal connection and supports community wellbeing. Participants frequently report increased confidence, renewed motivation for local projects, and a stronger sense of belonging following their involvement. These outcomes align closely with the Localisation Hub’s mission to strengthen local economies through connection, collaboration, and shared learning.
For NENA, integrating the Offers and Needs Market into its localisation work represents a meaningful step toward building the practical foundations of a new economy. As ecological and economic pressures intensify, community-based mechanisms that enhance autonomy, reduce reliance on extractive systems, and cultivate mutual support become increasingly important. The recent workshop demonstrated both the viability and the value of this model, and it has opened pathways for further OANM events, ongoing community clusters, and greater integration of reciprocal exchange into local projects across the country.
The Localisation Hub looks forward to future opportunities to deepen this work and to support communities in adopting practices that embody the principles of fairness, sustainability, and local resilience that underpin the new economy movement. If you would like more information about the Localisation Hub or future OANM events, you are welcome to contact the Localisation Hub.