Understanding Commoning: A Guide to Shared Resource Management

Commoning is a process of creating and managing shared resources, such as land, water, forests, or other natural resources, that are owned and controlled by a community rather than by individuals or corporations. Commoning can involve the creation of collective ownership structures, such as cooperatives or community trusts, to manage these resources in a way that benefits the community as a whole.

Commoning can also involve the revival of traditional practices and knowledge that have been lost or marginalized over time, such as indigenous farming techniques or traditional forest management practices. By reclaiming and revitalizing these practices, communities can build resilience and self-sufficiency, while also preserving cultural heritage and biodiversity.

The concept of commoning is often associated with the commons, which refers to resources that are shared by a community and are not owned by any individual or corporation. The commons can include things like public parks, community gardens, or fisheries, as well as intangible resources like knowledge or culture.

Commoning can be seen as an alternative to the dominant model of private ownership and exploitation of natural resources, which often prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability and equity. By empowering communities to manage their own resources, commoning can help to build more resilient and just societies.