Commoning

Commoning describes the collective action and joint management of resources by a group of people. It is based on the principles of cooperation, mutual trust and shared responsibility. Through commoning, resources such as land, water, knowledge or infrastructure are not viewed and utilised as individual property, but as a common good. The aim is to create sustainable and fair alternatives to capitalist market mechanisms and to prioritise the needs of the community.

Practical examples:

The village of Pödelwitz in Saxony/Germany is an example of commoning. The residents are fighting back against the destruction of their village by lignite mining and have jointly launched various projects to preserve and sustainably develop their homeland. They rely on collective decision-making and the collective use and management of resources to enable a self-determined and ecologically sustainable life.

Cecosesola in Venezuela is a network of cooperatives that also follows the principles of commoning. Here, members work together in various co-operative projects, share resources and make decisions collectively. Cecosesola promotes access to basic services such as healthcare and food supply through community organisation and management.