Spain: Embracing the Commons – the story of Agustín Sánchez from the Alpujarra

Spain: Embracing the Commons – the story of Agustín Sánchez from the Alpujarra – European Commons and OECMs Article by Diana Neacsu in dialogue with Elena Correa Jimenez, Sergio Couto, Joám Evans Pim and Diego Juffe Bignoli

Film: The acequias of Sierra Nevada are more than an ancient irrigation system; they are a life-sustaining commons, central to local agriculture, culture, and community governance.

Discovering the commons

“My first memory working with the commons?” That’s a tough one. In the Alpujarra, where I live, identifying commons isn’t straightforward. Legally, land here is either private or public—there’s no formal recognition of communal resources. Yet, looking back, I can see how my childhood was steeped in them. Growing up in a tiny village surrounded by mountains, I spent countless days exploring and playing in what were once communal lands, now public.

The shift in my understanding came later, around 2018. That year, I joined a group of elders in my village to clean the irrigation ditch—a lifeline for the community. This was my first active step into defending a resource that, while no longer legally communal, remains essential for our survival. Since that moment, I’ve been deeply connected to protecting these remnants of the commons, particularly in water management, a cause that still shapes my days.

The driving force

My motivation isn’t rooted in nostalgia. It’s practical. Without preserving water systems, our villages would wither away. For me, the land and its people are inseparable; protecting water means safeguarding both. The commons, in this sense, are not just a tradition—they’re a necessity.

A family legacy rekindled

Interestingly, my connection to the commons skips a generation. My grandparents were the last in my family truly tied to the land and its communal practices. Then came my parents, whose generation largely abandoned this way of life. Now, my peers and I are trying to pick up the threads they left behind. It’s not always easy—older generations often look down on our efforts—but I see this reconnection as vital for our future.

Breaking misconceptions

People outside the commons often misunderstand them. They see inefficiency—systems run by aging populations or offering little direct economic return. And they’re not entirely wrong. Most participants are elderly men, and financially, the benefits are indirect at best. Maintaining these systems is demanding, often costing more in time and energy than it gives back. Still, I believe these losses are outweighed by the shared resilience and community they foster.

Balancing acts

Life as a commoner has its rhythms. Most of the year, water management is quiet. But come spring and summer, it’s intense. The irrigation canals demand constant attention, and conflicts over water—whether between neighbors or villages—require careful mediation. It’s emotionally and physically taxing, leaving little room for personal pursuits.

Finding joy amid responsibility

Even my leisure time is intertwined with defending the land. While this can feel all-consuming, I’ve made peace with it. I can’t imagine living here without taking an active role in its protection. That said, the burden would be lighter if more people joined the cause. With greater collaboration, we could all share the responsibility—and perhaps even the joy—of preserving the commons together.