3.4 How can communities lead and define their own projects?

Most of the examples we have discussed assume that there is an external project developer that is having negotiations with the community to start a project. What if there is no external developer but the community themselves designs and owns the project? In many communities, the idea of a community owned and run project aligns better with the community’s values of self-determination. The advantage of a community owned project is that there is less profit lost to a developer. However, community owned projects often require a great deal of expertise and sometimes lack the scale to be financially viable.

Watch these two videos of community owned projects to learn more about what the process can look like.

Mikoko Project  by the Blue Forest

Sarayaku people (Insert video)

Community control over a project is not binary – it can exist on a spectrum where communities on one end there are projects that are completely community owned and operated with projects where there is no involvement of the community on the other end of the spectrum. In between are projects where communities may have more control over some aspects than others.

Discussion Board

What aspects of community control of a project would be most important for the community where you work? Please share your comment below