CHIMACUM — The Economics for Peace Institute, a nonprofit organization conducting research on community resilience and sustainability, will host an open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Wednesday at the Chimacum Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive.
People can attend in person at the grange hall or online via https://econ4peace.org/econ4peace-video-call.
This event celebrates the Econ4Peace institute’s new Pacific Northwest office, its forthcoming Groundwork Project study and its partnership with the grange, said Myriem Le Ferrand, Econ4Peace’s founder and board president.
While the online access makes it possible for people across the region to attend — without using vehicle fuel — “we do hope to establish in-person meet-up locations across the study area,” Le Ferrand said.
The institute is about to embark on the Groundwork Project, a pilot study of local economic development across Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties, she added. At the open house, people can find out about the project and have refreshments from Goodness Tea and Two Crows Bakery, two local businesses.
The three-county Groundwork Project pilot study, to be conducted from 2022 into 2024, is aimed at bringing people together to have conversations about sustainability and common ground, Le Ferrand said.
“We’re not talking about anything political or rhetorical,” she said.
Instead, the study will use social fieldwork to focus on community well-being and ecosystem stewardship.
The Economics for Peace Institute has also formed a partnership with the Chimacum Grange and Raised Right Here, a National Grange initiative focused on local resilience and sustainability, Le Ferrand noted.
For the Groundwork Project, the institute seeks community members who would like to sponsor or host gatherings — large or small — in the Clallam-Jefferson-Kitsap county area. To find out more, visit https://econ4peace.org/the-groundwork-project. Le Ferrand and the institute can also be reached at salishsea@econ4peace.org.
In addition, the institute is planning an Earth Day jam at the Chimacum Grange, with local musicians, food and festivities. The all-ages, zero-waste event is set for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 22, with more details at https://econ4peace.org/earth-day-2022-jam.
All of these activities center on efforts to build peace, find common ground in local communities and grow a new economy, according to the Economics for Peace Institute website.
