What is 'Commons Lab' (CL)?

Commons Lab is a grassroots, not for profit ‘socio-cultural’ organization, founded as ‘Commons Lab Antwerp’ at the end of 2017 in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). It's an experimental lab investigating 'commons transition'; new forms of collaborative action that are leading urban and rural areas towards new forms of participatory governance, inclusive economic growth and social innovation. It's founded by a few active citizens who will try to partner with social innovators (i.e. active citizens, city makers, digital collaboratives, urban regenerators, community gardeners, etc.), local authorities, businesses, civil society organizations, and knowledge institutions (i.e. schools, universities, cultural institutions, museums, academies, etc.). The ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable, democratic and just region.

We use different strategies and tricks to speed up local commons transitions in cities and rural areas in Flanders. We reclaim and empower (urban) commons by reframing, and creating a new awareness, understanding of what the ‘city/municipality as commons’ paradigm is about. We connect smaller and bigger revolutions. We share very actively and strategic information, tools, networks, skills, ... We assembly in many different ways, online and offline, local and global.

Commons Lab is inspired by the work of Michel Bauwens/P2P foundation, the Co-Cities project, LABoratory for the GOVernance of the City as a Commons. CL is a partner in the European Commons Assembly, an international network and campaing for commoning in society and politics. CL also participates in the 'Professional training program on urban green space management'- PROGRESS. A European exchange program for professionals and actors of the environment on the management of urban green spaces. Since 2021 Commons Lab is recognized and funded as a social cultural organisation by the Flemish government. Team Commons Lab consists of 4 employed people, a few freelancers and many volunteers.