Casa Común celebrated its second anniversary in December, marking two years of exploring and experimenting with regenerative economies. The celebration included music, drum yoga, a secondhand clothing and goods fair, hundreds of products, and sharing a large pot of soup cooked over a wood fire. The event celebrated not only the milestone year but also its contribution to the abundance present in the region, the relationships established, the appreciation of local resources, and the networking and dialogue between different processes and neighboring territories.
Entering Casa Común is like witnessing the blossoming of a constantly transforming ecosystem. Its mission is to migrate from an extractive economy to one that builds, supports, generates abundance, and understands the ecosystem as a living organism that we must also care for.
To cite some figures on what has happened there: in these two years, 415 million pesos have been sold, money that remains circulating in the region. There are more than 600 registered clients. They have worked with 115 producers, 15 of whom are associations. 900 products have been coded, 951 of which are local, and the remaining 51 provide a service there.
Their exploration of regenerative economies has brought them countless valuable lessons. What began as a shop with a percentage-based contribution system, and later a time bank, has evolved in two years into a much more complex and nuanced business and engagement model.
Sustainability, as a fundamental pillar, no longer depends solely on the store and Café Ensamble, but also thrives on the transformation of local products. The raw materials brought by local farmers are transformed into flours, jams, granolas, condiments, beverages, natural cosmetics, and many other products that enter the distribution network.
Time has also shown them that the true heart of this model lies in the flexibility it offers its producers. Casa Común now understands that each person has a different reality and therefore allows them to choose their level of participation, from simply delivering their products to becoming involved in production, sales, and distribution. This approach has woven a network of trust and collaboration, where each producer contributes from their own perspective, without pressure or judgment.
In the shop and the café, there's a constant dialogue. They're spaces for listening to the customer and understanding their needs. Products that don't find their place are modified or discontinued, while those that resonate with the public are promoted and refined.
Recently, Los Comunes was introduced. More than just a community currency, it's a system designed to encourage and facilitate the exchange and movement of goods and services within Barichara, aiming to strengthen local relationships and the economy. A mobile app, functioning as a virtual wallet, allows users to store Los Comunes for making and receiving payments.
On the other hand, wonderful things happen at the caney. A great number of people have passed through its doors, eager to share their knowledge and learn. Workshops on various arts, cooking, agriculture, yoga, photography, and much more have taken place there.
Over the past two years, Casa Común has become a laboratory for experimentation, where not only are products developed, but also new forms of interaction. The community is strengthened through the constant exchange of knowledge, shared lunches, and the workshops offered there.
Looking ahead, Casa Común aims to realize its dream through two key initiatives. The first is the construction of a community production facility. The second is strengthening local entrepreneurship initiatives toward a regenerative model, thereby consolidating and projecting the model toward a more abundant and collaborative future. This is a dream we hope will come true and will undoubtedly bring well-being to all.
