ofby

Ofby is a term used in discussions of governance and co-creation to describe practices and systems that are both of the community and by the community. It signals that legitimate authority and value derive from the people who create, own, and participate in a project or institution.

Etymology and usage: The term is a portmanteau of “of” and “by,” echoing the political motto “of the people, by the people, for the people” but in a looser, informal sense. It has appeared in 21st‑century online discourse within open-government, participatory design, open‑source software, and community organizing.

Contexts and applications: In software and product development, an ofby approach emphasizes community ownership of assets and governance by contributors and users. In urban planning or civic technology, it describes processes where residents influence funding, policies, and implementation through participatory mechanisms.

Limitations and reception: The term lacks formal definition and standard usage. Meaning varies by context, which can lead to ambiguity or overstatement. It is most common in niche communities and may not be understood outside those circles.

See also: participatory governance, co-creation, open-source governance, participatory budgeting.