GemeinwohlÖkonomie

GemeinwohlÖkonomie, often written as Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie, is an economic model and social movement that promotes organizing economic activity to serve the common good rather than solely pursuing private profit. It originated in Austria and gained international attention through the work of economist Christian Felber, beginning with his 2010 book Die Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie. The movement has since developed a global network with national chapters and various local initiatives.

At its core, the Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie argues that businesses and public institutions should be evaluated by their contribution to the common good. Central to the approach is the Gemeinwohl-Bilanz, a voluntary accounting framework that assesses organizations against a set of Gemeinwohl-Kriterien. The outcome is a Gemeinwohl-Score that reflects performance in areas such as human dignity, solidarity and justice, democratic participation, transparency, ecological sustainability, and ethical conduct. Depending on the jurisdiction, a higher score can influence access to finance, procurement opportunities, or public endorsement.

The movement extends beyond private firms to municipalities and public administrations, which may use the framework to align policies and budgets with common-good objectives. It also provides training, networks, and consultative support, and promotes certification or labeling for compliant actors in some countries.

Critics view the approach as voluntary and difficult to compare across contexts, with concerns about measurement, governance, and potential co-option. Proponents see it as a complementary framework to CSR and ESG, aimed at embedding ethical and democratic values more deeply into economic life.