cni-coop

We build anarchist cooperative manufacturing sector!

“Community Network Infrastructure”, that is part of our name, has double meaning.

1. Infrastructure networks — all “life-supporting” systems — are vital for every community. Not only as a tool, but also as part of liberatory technology. The way they are designed, developed, deployed and maintained shapes the way they are used and the way community grows around them. As a feedback, it also shapes the liberatory technology community, people who cultivate technology for betterment of social life.

2. Community (confederate) networks are the social model we advocate and provide infrastructure for. We believe that every community has fundamental right to govern itself internally, as it’s members wish to. Among communities, there should be communication, cooperation and coexistence, even if their internal models vary and disagree.

All CNI work is focused on this intersection. We aim to compile, test and deploy standardized solutions for independent communities. We aim to develop an inter-community model network, to support confederate approach. And we aim to build our cooperative community to be an exemplary member of such confederation.

Internally, we are trying to create a new standard for technology teams, going beyond the charity/volunteering/non-profit model. The goal is to create a sustainable long-term work-frame, letting tech people move permanently into the solidarity economy.

In broader context, the CNI project is a part of the “Walkaway Economy”, inspired by Cory Doctorow’s book “Walkaway”. On a practical level, it will be connected with the FairCoop system of cooperatives, using FairCoin cryptocurrency, designed specifically for this kind of post-capitalist ventures.