---
# System prepended metadata

title: Recommon

---

# Recommon

Recommon uses [Updraft](https://github.com/UpdraftFund) to find resources that should be managed as commons.

Many commons (scientific knowledge, creative works, ecosystem elements) have been converted to private goods. We need to identify them and plan for their liberation.

Payments for the use of commons (to prevent overharvesting, spam, or other abuses, or to confer private usage) should be paid to everyone as a universal dividend.

## Overview

Discoverers (*creators* in Updraft) are rewarded for finding resources that should be managed as a commons and setting reasonable rules for their use. The public chooses the best set of rules by supporting a Resource  (*Idea* in Updraft). Supporters are rewarded for supporting Resources that attract follow-on support.

Stewards (*drafters* in Updraft) create Proposals (*Solutions* in Updraft) outlining how they will use resources.

## Resources

In Recommon, the object of focus is the *Resource*. Supporters increase the visibility of Resources and may earn [funder rewards](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/funder-rewards).

### Rules

A discoverer defines rules when they create a Resource. Proposals submitted for the Resource must follow its rules.

I've included some examples, but rules aren't limited to these ideas.

#### Restrictions

Resources can include rules restricting how stewards use the resource. For example: trees must be left on the land, no structures can be built, and the river must not be diverted.

#### Active Proposal

There can be rules about how the Active Proposal changes. For example: a Proposal must have the most [interest](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/advanced-topics/sort-order#interest) for 30 days and the previous steward has one year to vacate.

#### Payment

Rules can require payments--such as a periodic payment of rent or a payment for the use of natural resources. A steward will raise funds for these payments by setting and [extending goals](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/updating-a-solution#extending-a-goal). Rules can restrict  [funder reward percentages](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/funder-rewards).

Payments go to the Faucet Fund, described below. 

#### Splitting or combining Resources

Rules can split or combine Resources (such as land parcels or natural resources), though this may require agreement with other Active Resources.

### Active Resource

Multiple Resources can be submitted on Recommon that relate to the same underlying resource but with different rules.

The *Active Resource* is the one with the highest [interest](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/advanced-topics/sort-order#interest) as returned by the Updraft smart contracts, subject to a *quiet period*.

#### Quiet period

A quiet period begins when a competing Resource overtakes the Active Resource in support. If the quiet period passes with the same Resource leading in support the entire time, that Resource becomes the new Active Resource.

The length of the quiet period is determined by a [running median vote](https://gist.github.com/adamstallard/3edda48e1424fee93389f0a339455f9b) open to anyone. We can use [Aura](https://brightid.gitbook.io/aura) to limit each person to one vote.

## Proposals

Stewards submit Proposals to the Active Resource.

### Rules

A Resource's rules define how to determine the Active Proposal. An important component is Proposal [interest](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/advanced-topics/sort-order#interest) (funding over time).

A Proposal must meet the rules to qualify as the Active Proposal.

### Payment

If the Resource's rules require a regular payment of rent, a Proposal must meet that requirement. The steward sets funding goals to pay their rent. The steward can add a [stake](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/funding-a-solution#stake) or [funder reward](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/funder-rewards) to attract funding as the rules allow.

Any funds collected that don't go to previous funders (the funder reward) go to the Faucet Fund described below.

## Public Consensus

This consensus process legitimizes the use of resources by stewards.

### Quiet period length

The Median Vote smart contracts give a definitive value for the quiet period length. Anyone who's [Aura](https://brightid.gitbook.io/aura) verified can participate in this running vote.

### Anti-Spam fees

Resources (or Idea) supporters pay an [anti-spam fee](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/basics/using-a-wallet#anti-spam-fees) that goes to the Faucet Fund. The anti-spam fee percentage is set by a running Median Vote.

The anti-spam fee should be large enough (and the quiet period short enough) to prevent an Active Resource from repeatedly blocking the transition to another Active Resource by adding large support and removing it.

### Active Resources and Proposals

The Updraft contracts give definitive values for the [interest](https://guide.updraft.fund/updraft/advanced-topics/sort-order#interest) of Resources and Proposals. These values are public and anyone can use them (with the quiet period value, if necessary) to know which Resources and Proposals are active.

## Faucet Fund

Funding to Proposals (such as rent payments) go to the Updraft Faucet Fund. The Faucet will use Aura verification to limit claimers to their fair share. The funds in the Faucet will be distributed as widely and evenly as possible.

## Buying Resources with Updraft

If a resource isn't already owned by Recommon or otherwise considered a global commons, it may need to be acquired from a private market and donated to Recommon before Proposals can be attached to it. If this is the case, the discoverer marks the Resource as "awaiting acquisition," which creates a corresponding Idea in Updraft. Drafters can then create Solutions describing how they will acquire the resource and donate it to Recommon. The drafter sets a funding goal including a fee for their services and a stake that will be used as described below.

### Escrow
If a Solution is funded, the Solution fund is put in escrow until the resource is either successfully transferred to Recommon, or the drafter marks the Solution to have failed.

If it succeeds, the drafter receives their stake and their fee. If it fails, the funders are refunded from escrow, the drafter receives half their stake (to discourage the drafter from stalling), and the funders split the other half of the stake.

### Funding goal failure

If a Solution fails to reach its funding goal by the deadline set by the drafter, funders are refunded and split the drafter's entire stake.