ACORN International
is a federation of member-based
community organizations
Members work on issues that matter
to low and moderate income families
in their communities, homes,
and workplaces
Members are organizing
on five continents!
Join ACORN International
ACORN International affiliates share an approach to taking back what is ours. We share key principles:
Always organize the unorganized, strive for self-sufficiency, coordinated autonomy between local groups,issues as vehicles for building power, taking action to secure wins, and the organization belongs to its members.
From November 7 to 10, organizers from Canada, England and Wales, Scotland, France, Belgium, Sicily, Malta, India, Cameroon, the United States, and Palestine gathered in Brussels for the 2025 ACORN International Organizers Conference. The weekend was packed with workshops, door knocking, campaign exchanges, and strategy sessions focused on building working class power across borders.
Delegates shared updates from housing campaigns, worker organizing, heat safety fights, anti renoviction work, and struggles against displacement. A powerful highlight came from Mahmoud Soliman and Mohammed Hasan Matar of the PSCC in the West Bank, who spoke about protecting olive groves through planting and harvest mobilizations as acts of resistance.
Organizers left Brussels more connected and more energized, ready to support each other and grow our movements in 2025.
Next September, organizers from around the world will gather in Barcelona, Bilbao, and Bayonne to learn from some of Europe’s most inspiring movements.
Together, we’ll explore grassroots democracy, cultural identity, and collective action — including a visit to the renowned Mondragon Cooperatives.
🌍 Connect. Learn. Build power across borders.
📧 Contact: Send email to director@laborneighbor.org
ORGANIZING FOR RELIEF AND CHANGE IN AN OVERHEATING PLANET
BEAT THE HEAT Research
Across India and around the world, communities are resisting the Adani Group’s record of land grabs, environmental destruction, and political favoritism. From the stalled U.S. fraud case to massive displacement threats in places like Dharavi, Adani’s influence continues to grow despite mounting scrutiny. Our page tracks the global fight for accountability, transparency, and the rights of communities standing up to one of the world’s most powerful conglomerates.
Global Action for Climate Justice
From Canada to France, India to the U.S., 21 communities took action against extreme heat—rallies, water distribution, urban cooling projects, and advocacy for tenant and worker protections. Together, we’re demanding solutions that protect everyone from rising temperatures.
Oct 2, 2025
After years of organizing, our Scotland affiliate Living Rent has won nationwide rent controls, capping rent hikes, tackling disrepair, and strengthening tenant rights.
This victory proves the power of collective action and marks a huge step toward fair, affordable housing for all. ✊
Aug 30, 2025
ACORN Union UK held its first-ever national convention in Bristol, bringing together over 200 members from across England and Wales for a day of workshops, strategy sessions, and action planning. The convention marked the launch of their new national campaign, Bailiffs Out of Britain, which calls for an end to the use of private bailiffs and debt collectors who intimidate low-income families and deepen poverty.
To kick off the campaign, members staged a dramatic eviction resistance role play, with volunteers acting as bailiffs while dozens of members locked arms to defend the home. The crowd erupted in cheers as the simulated resistance held strong, demonstrating the power of collective action. The convention’s energy and determination sent a clear message: when tenants stand together, they win.
July 23, 2025
Members of Locataires Ensemble are mobilizing against overheating homes, a huge issue as the temperature continues to rise. They have launched a petition calling on the Mayor of Lyon to enforce protections like shutters and ceiling fans. A win here could set a precedent across France! Their efforts are building momentum across the globe as we move closer to ACORN’s global Beat the Heat day of action on July 23rd!
June 18, 2025
ACORN members took action at the Science Museum to protest its sponsorship by Adani Green Energy, a company behind mass evictions in Dharavi, Mumbai. As part of ACORN International’s global day of action, members served symbolic eviction notices to the Adani-funded exhibit, held a picket outside, and distributed leaflets to visitors. The protest called on the museum to cut ties with Adani and stop legitimizing corporate land grabs and displacement.
May 2, 2025
From standing shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent a neighbor’s eviction to launching a new branch — Every door knocked is another potential member, every meeting builds our collective strategy, and every action puts landlords and officials on notice that housing justice cannot wait.
10 direct actions with targets confronted
1 successful eviction resistance
5 community meetings organized
1 new branch launched
Countless doors knocked, bringing scores of new members into the movement
This is what people power looks like.
April 18, 2025
In a huge victory for their member Stuart, ACORN Bradford has successfully fought back against harassment from bailiffs. Stuart had been relentlessly chased for debts, with threats of forced entry, and a council refusing to set up a payment plan. But thanks to the determination and support of ACORN Bradford members, they’ve got the bailiffs called off, enforcement paused, AND a payment plan in place.
April 17, 2025
After over a year of unaddressed disrepair—including roof leaks, mold, and no heating—union member Charlie teamed up with Living Rent Dundee to take on negligent letting agents and the landlord. The result? £1,000 in compensation and a full rent pause until all repairs are done. A huge win for tenant power and solidarity in Scotland!
Inequality and social problems come down to power—who has it and who benefits from it.
The only way to create meaningful change is by countering the power of money and politics with collective action.
Every day, we see rising housing costs, unemployment, stagnant wages, and cuts to public services while wealth is funneled upward.
But we power society—we work, raise families, support communities, and create wealth—so we have the right to exercise power and claim our fair share.
When we say “taking what’s ours,” we mean reclaiming the value we produce and the benefits we deserve.
ACORN’s model is simple: local, member-based, democratic organizations that operate like a union for their members. By forming our own community unions, we build our own power.
How do you build a union for your community? ACORN organizers use our proven approach:
1. People to people
2. Launch meeting
3. Campaign
4. Take action until victory
5. Choose next issue while expanding
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