Commonlands and Local Development in Northern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

"Commonlands occupy approximately 1 million ha in Northern Iberian Peninsula with high average areas (500 ha in northern Portugal and 200 ha in Galicia). The region is among the UE poorest, with meaningful low GDP in comparison with most developed European regions. During centuries, Baldios (Portugal) and Montes Veciñais en Man Común (MVMC) (Galicia) played an essential role in the rural economy of their owner communities. This role was lost during the twentieth century due to the massive forestation and the decline of agriculture prominence. The restoration of democratic regimes in both countries returned the Baldios and MVMC to their owner communities, now declining, aging and disorganized. Taking into account the commons overall extension and large average size, this paper aims to determine the potentialities and limitations, in the current conditions, of communal lands contribution to needed rural and local development, using 'Participatory Rural Appraisal' and results normalization. Two case studies, one in North Portugal and one in Galicia, allow identifying the still practiced individual and collective uses and the accomplishments made with revenues associated to the commonlands. Both Galician and Portuguese realities exhibit sound similarities and complementary benefits requiring social innovation to make a better use of rural resilience. Commonlands and small scale entrepreneurial initiatives can underpin the local markets network of transformed local products supported by attractive biodiversity and aesthetic values."