Kommune Niederkaufungen
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Kommune Niederkaufungen is one of the largest intentional communities in Germany. Founded in 1986, it is an egalitarian, left-wing, income-sharing commune with consensus decision-making. It is situated in a complex of former farm buildings in the historic centre of the village of Niederkaufungen (Kaufungen), seven kilometres from the city of Kassel (Hessen). It has grown from 15 founder members to 62 adults and nearly 20 children and teenagers (2009). It is a member of "Kommuja", the German network of political communes and egalitarian communities.
The Kommune Niederkaufungen has a set of five main core principles. These were formulated in a pamphlet in 1983, the "Grundsatzpapier". They are:
- left-wing politics,
- consensus decision making,
- a completely communal income and asset sharing economy,
- a reduction of hierarchical and patriarchal structures,
- work in collectives.
Although not explicitly listed as a core principle in the "Grundsatzpapier", ecological ideas have been important since the start. A wish to become ecologically and economically sustainable is expressed in the pamphlet and is seen as the sixth commune core principle. In addition, the wish to find a site near but not in a city was expressed in this "vision document", as was the further aim to reach a membership of 100 adult members.
Work collectives
Nearly all members of the commune work in commune owned collectives. These include
- a carpentry and joinery workshop,
- a seminar centre, offering courses on communal themes, (Tagungshaus Niederkaufungen)
- a group of non-violent communication (NVC) trainers,
- a building firm, (KOMM-BAU)
- a smithing / metal workshop,
- an organic food catering firm, (Komm-Menu)
- a certified "Bioland" organic market garden with farm shop,(Gemüsebau Kollektiv "Rote Rübe")
- a fruit / orchard collective (Obst-Manufactur)
- an EU certified organic dairy farm with cheese making, (Hof Birkengrund)
- a kindergarten, (KITA "Die Wühlmäuse")
- an administration and community consultancy group, (KOMM-RAT)
- a day-care centre for old people, (Tagespflege Lossetal)
Each work collective decides independently on work hours, work responsibilities and holidays.
