Berlin Commons Conference/ProjectVisits

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The three project visits on October 31 have been an integral part of the International Commons Conference (ICC) - Constructing a Commons-Based Policy Platform in Berlin, (November 1/2 2010), organised by the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in Berlin in partnership with the Commons Strategies Group.

These visits have provided an insight into different commons-based projects. They vary in many ways: in their scope, institutional rules and legal settings. They've built up different links to the market economy and are driven by different concepts of solidarity. But all of them exist and work according to their own values and rules.

- The projects -

Genossinnenschaft Schokofabrik eG (The visit to the Genossinnenschaft Schokofabrik has been offered only for women):


AKB - Ambulante Krankenpflege Berlin e.V.:


Projektwerkstatt auf Gegenseitigkeit - Projektgruppe Karlshof:


- Genossinnenschaft Schokofabrik eG -

A women's housing and working project

When was the project founded?

The women's center in the district Kreuzberg of Berlin exists since 1981 as an association, the cooperative was founded in 2003 and bought the buildings (Mariannenstraße 6 und Naunynstraße 72) in 2004.

What motivated the founders and how did they realise it?

With the ending of the redevelopment area in the district Kreuzberg the rent control was also lifted. The imminent rental increase and apprehended sale of property threatened the very existence of the women's center. The idea to buy the houses themselves was then born.

A cooperative seemed to be the legal form which can be realised most easily. This bought the property which the women's center uses and other 5 flats as well.

What are the resources that the women's cooperative Schokofabrik manages at the community level?

The houses: with approx. 1.200 sqm project area of the women's center and the 5 flats for rent. Knowledge and contacts: both are brought in by the association and by the members of the cooperative.

Which legal form has the project and how are ownership and use (possession) of the resources regulated formally?

The registered cooperative "Genossinnenschaft Schokofabrik eG" makes the rooms available for the nonprofit association "Schokoladenfabrik e.V.".

The cooperative manages the residential property in the form of internal community of private apartments (WAY, german: WEG) by 14 women, who bought their flats in the houses themselves.

How is the project financed?

It was purchased with their own funds that was brought in by the members of the cooperative, through private loans and a bank credit.

The current financing is made possible through payments for use by the association and rental incomes from the tenants as well as through voluntary work by some members from the cooperative and association.

Who is involved and how many persons are participating?

The involved are exclusively women: - the cooperative has about 100 members. - some members of the association as well as 222 "Schoko Aunts" (and 4 "Uncles") donate money on a regular basis, - about 1.000 women visit the center every week.

Which products / services are generated at the community level and how are they distributed?

The association uses the spaces with a contract that is not terminable. If a flat becomes free, it is offered first to the members of the cooperative. The use is bound to a membership in the cooperative.

What are the elements of the management that don't follow the rules of the free market economy?

The rooms are given for rent exclusively to women. The user fee for the association is far under the market price and will not be brought into line with market price index. So far no profits are generated, therefore the members of the cooperative so far do not receive any dividends.

Which relationship does exist with the free market economy?

The rental market forms the framework, the housing rents are slowly brought in line with the market rents, new tenants have to pay the usual rents.

Does the state give any support (structurally, financially, idealistically…)?

The cooperative is not supported by the government, only the women's center association receives funds to cover running costs from the municipality and the European Union.








- Tribute - This documentation was prepared by Elisabeth Voß, with the help of: Silke Helfrich: idea of the visits, discussions about the assortment of projects and questions for the presentation. The colleagues of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation: - Arfasse Gamada: report about the project visit to Karlshof Potatoe-Café, - Lena Kunze: report about the project visit to Schokofabrik, - Tsewang Norbu: help with the English language. The visited groups Schokofabrik, AKB and Karlshof themselves. Some feedbacks from the participants of the project visits are incorporated into this report. Thanks to all of you!

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