The document summarizes the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC), which is a leading professional organization dedicated to studying commons. The IASC brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to improve understanding of commons, integrate scientific and practitioner knowledge on commons, and contribute to sustainable resource policy. Members have access to resources like the Digital Library of the Commons and an open access journal. The IASC addresses commons issues through global conferences and regional/thematic conferences. It invites readers to join and help expand commons research through individual or organizational membership.

1. Join the IASC
Colombian coffee growers have
been able to protect their coffee
production, tradition and quality
through a Protected Geographical
Indication (PGI) under European
Union legislation. The Café de
Colombia PGI is now a producer-
led effort without direct influence
of international roasters, donors
or government authorities.
Read more about this ‘common
in action’ and other research
conducted by members of the
IASC on www.iasc-commons.org/
impact-stories/Colombia-PGI.
The International
Association
for the Study of
the Commons

2. The International Association for
the Study of the Commons (IASC)
is the leading professional organi-
zation dedicated to the study of
­commons. ’Commons’ refers to re-
sources or services that are shared
by a community or group of stake-
holders, where access and use are
controlled through some form of
collective management structure.
Although we do not always realize
this, such a governance model plays
an important role in our society –
both in the present and in the past.
The study of the design and internal
mechanisms of these institutions
demonstrates that managing natural
and other resources as ‘commons’ can
result in a high degree of resilience and
sustainability.
The IASC aims, by bringing researchers
from various disciplines together with
practitioners and policymakers:
• to improve our theoretical under-
standing of the concept of commons
• to integrate knowledge on commons
from both scientists and practitioners
• to contribute to policy making on
the sustainable use of common pool
resources
The scope of the activities of the IASC
varies from a local to a global scale
and includes natural resources (such
as water, forests, fisheries), knowledge
systems, cultural practices, and other
shared resources managed in common.
The IASC offers you access to a range
of resources for research, such as
the Digital Library of the Commons
and the International Journal of the
Commons, the peer-reviewed open
access journal dedicated to publishing
your research articles on commons.
The IASC addresses issues on the
commons via:
• Global (biennial) conferences,
bringing together experts from all
over the world
• Regional conferences, focusing on
specific regional issues on commons
• Thematic conferences, focusing on
themes such as Knowledge Com-
mons and the design of institutions
for collective action.
Join the IASC
Help us to expand research on
commons’ issues. The IASC offers
new insights and opportunities for
both academics and practitioners. You
can join the IASC through individual,
organizational, or supporting
membership via our webpage https://
membership.iasc-commons.org/.
www.iasc-commons.org
The International
Association
for the Study of
the Commons
The International
Association
for the Study of
the Commons