The Common Ground Initiative

The Common Ground Initiative logo

The Common Ground Initiative is a collaborative initiative jointly led by close to 60 organisations. It aims to strengthen environmental governance and rural livelihoods in India by leveraging the commons to address challenges related to livelihoods, climate change, and social inequality. By coordinating action across organisations and communities, the initiative works towards building an ecosystem of strong institutions and a network of change leaders, setting the stage for large-scale, lasting impact.


Articles


The image shows the collapsed Sankalang Bailey Bridge. Parts of the bridge are broken down and submerged in the Teesta river as water flows by in high speed. There are two people on either side of the collapsed bridge._Memory mapping

May 23, 2025
Creating a people’s biography of rivers: Northeast’s own digital archive
Faced with climate change, riverine communities are using memory maps, audio notes, and images to archive oral histories and traditional adaptation strategies.
The image features three women working in a field. One women holds a stack of leaves in her hand and there are rows of bound and stacked leaves laid out on the ground._Community resources

May 2, 2025
IDR Explains | Commons
In just 10 minutes, learn how India’s commons power its people, ecology, and economy—through examples, their history, and challenges.
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