ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Italian centri sociali (social centers) as knowledge commons through Klamer’s (2017) value-based approach, encompassing five spheres – Social, Cultural, Oikos, Market, and Governance. Specifically, it highlights centri sociali’s role in fostering community engagement, cultural activities, and social bonding. The analysis reveals varying success rates in creating and conserving value across different cases. Findings emphasize the importance of the social and cultural spheres in fostering community collaboration and cultural ideals, the oikos sphere in nurturing a sense of belonging, the market and governance spheres in exploring funding opportunities, and navigating regulatory complexities. This chapter challenges conventional value’s notions, underscoring centri sociali’s capacity to generate and preserve value beyond economic frameworks, while addressing complexities arising from legislative gaps.
