It is possible to shape the economy in a democratic way
When we begin to see the economy as a social system that can be designed to meet our needs, rather than an abstract phenomenon dictated by natural laws outside of ourselves, we realize it is possible to shape the economy in a different way.
At Commons Network, we take the commons as an inspiration model to enhance the democratisation and social ecological transition of the economy. We collaborate with social movements, civil society, and governments to fundamentally redesign our economy. We do this collectively and in coalition with many others, learning and building together.
Mission
At Commons Network, we build a caring and just economy within different interconnecting areas of work and expertise:
- Advance an economy that prevents the overshoot of our planetary boundaries whilst meeting our social objectives by promoting democratic and caring practices. This includes strengthening community economies through city, regional, and translocal solidarity initiatives.
- Building digital commons and democratic futures with interoperable, inclusive, and collaborative digital infrastructures.
We transform the economy through three pillars:
1. Change policy and institutions
Through political organizing, advocacy and public-civic partnerships, we aim to create structural changes to enable the new economy to flourish.
2. Build the new economy and practices
Through building networks, coalitions and movements and fostering political education, we aim to support democratic economic practices andto strengthen local economies.
3.Tell the story
We tell the stories of economic practices and inspiring developments that shows that there is an alternative horizon. We aim to stretch people’s imagination of what is possible in order to enact change.
Commons Network History: A word from our director Sophie Bloemen
“When I started CN with my co-founder David 10 years ago, we had worked together in civil society in European policy in Brussels and we knew there was something missing in the purely humans rights based approach many of us working in nonprofits and politics were taking. We were claiming justice from a broken and unstainable system.
What was missing was a transformational approach about how we produce, work and live, about how the economy functions. Once central aspect of such an approach is the collective, the community, another one is the idea of sufficiency.
That’s why we started Commons Network, to bring this transformational perspective. And today, 10 years later, we see this vision resonates with many people, not just way our peers in movements and think tanks, but also in the institutions and corporate life. Commons Networks has worked with many partners, on different levels of government and implemented many projects. Today, we no longer so much have to convince, we now have to answer the question, how? How do we do it? Help us!
And that’s why:
We develop and spread transformative ideas, for example on the digital commons and democratic technology and postgrowth across Europe
We bring people together and build coalitions, for example in the MeentCoop association in Amsterdam, Democratic Tech Alliance in Europe, and the Municipalist Network Europe.
We influence policy and transform institutions, for example inspire many municipalities to change their procurement to policies to benefit local economy.
We empower & nurture collective practices and help build the community economy, Help groups re-learn how to collectively make decisions, and how to take part in the economy, with incubator programmes and other instruments.
Together, we work toward economic transformation: ensuring the social economy grows from around 15% of our economy to more than 50% in the coming decades.
We will continue building a democratic and caring economy, in coalition with many others and hopefully also with you”