Fazave

Fazave is a term used to describe a community-based framework for managing shared resources through voluntary cooperation and mutual aid. It functions as both a cultural practice and a governance model that emphasizes reciprocity, inclusivity, and local autonomy.

In fazave systems, participants typically contribute labor, goods, or time credits and may draw on rotating resources or services. Decision making is often participatory, relying on assemblies, consensus processes, or rotating facilitation to set collective goals and resolve disputes.

Geographically, fazave concepts appear in diverse settings, frequently within rural or peri-urban communities seeking sustainable livelihoods. Variants exist, sometimes overlapping with informal local currencies, time banking, or other cooperative arrangements.

History and development: Fazave has no single origin; instead, it has emerged in multiple communities as a response to economic precarity and social fragmentation. Documentation tends to be localized in community reports, academic case studies, and regional media.

Impact and critique: Proponents cite increased social cohesion, greater resilience to shocks, and more equitable access to goods and services. Critics point to governance complexity, potential for exclusion of outsiders, and challenges in scaling beyond tight-knit groups.

See also: mutual aid; cooperative economy; time banking; social capital.