Filmed at the Environmental Studies Center at Oberlin College, Steve Bosserman describes the basic concept of a Community Investment Portfolio (CIP). A CIP provides a tool that enables a community to identify, connect, and grow assets to support a stronger and more resilient local economy. Steve draws a distinction between the global economy, in which many basic needs are supplied in areas far distant from us, and outlines the opportunity space that localization of food, energy, and other basic needs provides. A CIP can be utilized as a tool for individuals, businesses, institutions, or agencies to collectively invest assets in support of local economies. Assets include not just financial assets, but time, physical resources, and political and social capital.
