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Author: Nick Mahony

Department of the Commons

Updated Monday, 20 February 2017
For ‘the commons’.

This page was published over 7 years ago. Please be aware that due to the passage of time, the information provided on this page may be out of date or otherwise inaccurate, and any views or opinions expressed may no longer be relevant. Some technical elements such as audio-visual and interactive media may no longer work. For more detail, see how we deal with older content.

Department of the Commons logo

Naples is the first Italian city to establish a “Department of the Commons” and the first to change the municipal statute by inserting the “commons” as one of the interests to be protected and recognised. For example, the Department is working to recognise the legitimacy of occupied buildings in the city and organising public discussion tables in occupied buildings where citizens share decision-making power with the Administration.

It was initiated by local government and encourages people to participate through voting, organising and campaigning and public assembly. Dept of the Commons is local in orientation and concerned with anti-discrimination, equality and social justice, democracy, politics, participation, environmental sustainability and representation.  It was launched in Naples in 2016 and is ongoing. 

This page is part of Participation Now, a project that brings together a diverse collection of participatory public engagement initiatives with the aim of supporting exploration, learning and engagement. Explore the collection of initiatives or read more about the project.

 

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