Gemenskap

Gemenskap is a Swedish term that refers to the sense of togetherness and social unity within a group. It describes the bonds, mutual obligations, and shared identity that knit members of families, neighborhoods, organizations, or broader societies together. The concept encompasses feelings of belonging, trust, and cooperative behavior that support social cooperation and resilience.

The word is formed from gemensam, meaning common, and -skap, a suffix indicating a state or condition. Thus gemenskap can be understood as the state of being common or sharing life with others.

In sociology and political discourse, gemenskap is used to discuss social cohesion, solidarity, and the strength of communal ties. In religious contexts it can denote fellowship among believers. In urban planning and community development, fostering gemenskap is often a goal to improve well-being and social capital.

Gemenskap is not identical to nationwide concepts of national identity; it focuses more on intimate or small-group connectedness than purely formal affiliation. It coexists with other social structures and can vary across cultures, regions, and contexts. The term is commonly used in Swedish-language writing and discourse.

In digital and online contexts, gemenskap can describe online communities organized around shared interests or values where members exhibit mutual aid, norms, and a sense of belonging, even in absence of physical proximity.