Europa XXI (2026) vol. 50
Commoning Water as a Pathway to Sustainable and Culturally-Grounded Management: The Case of Stagiates, Greece
Europa XXI (2026) vol. 50, pp. 2 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.50.2
Abstract
This paper investigates the emergence of water commons as an alternative paradigm to pri vatization, focusing on commoning practices as sustainable forms of governance. It emphasizes the role of a culture of water in fostering long-term stewardship and sustainable management. To illustrate these dynamics, it examines the case of Stagiates, a small village in Greece, where the community-led initiative community-led Free Waters initiative mobilized commoning practices to protect the local source of water from privatization. The research draws on empirical data collected during two field visits, in terviews with community members, and analysis of blog-posts, newspaper articles and other sources. The case of Stagiates demonstrates how commons-based governance can sustain resources, and how commoning builds linkages across ecological care, cultural identity, and democratic participation, offering a living example of water sustainability in practice.
Keywords: commoning, water, privatization, culture, sustainability
[i.kotzamani@hua.gr], Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave. 70, GR-176 76, Kallithea, Athens: Greece
[paidakaki@hua.gr], Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave. 70, GR-176 76, Kallithea, Athens: Greece
[polyxeni.katsigianni@kuleuven.be], KU Leuven, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering Science Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 - box 2431, 3001 Leuven: Belgium
[m.pratsinakis@hua.gr], Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography Eleftheriou Venizelou Ave. 70, GR-176 76, Kallithea, Athens: Greece
Citation
APA: Kotzamani, M., Paidakaki, A., Katsigianni, X., & Pratsinakis, M. (2026). Commoning Water as a Pathway to Sustainable and Culturally-Grounded Management: The Case of Stagiates, Greece. Europa XXI, 50, 2. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.50.2
MLA: Kotzamani, Maria-Iris, et al. "Commoning Water as a Pathway to Sustainable and Culturally-Grounded Management: The Case of Stagiates, Greece". Europa XXI, vol. 50, 2026, pp. 2. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.50.2
Chicago: Kotzamani, Maria-Iris, Paidakaki, Angeliki, Katsigianni, Xenia and Pratsinakis, Manolis. "Commoning Water as a Pathway to Sustainable and Culturally-Grounded Management: The Case of Stagiates, Greece". Europa XXI 50 (2026): 2. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.50.2
Harvard: Kotzamani, M., Paidakaki, A., Katsigianni, X., & Pratsinakis, M. 2026. "Commoning Water as a Pathway to Sustainable and Culturally-Grounded Management: The Case of Stagiates, Greece". Europa XXI, vol. 50, pp. 2. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.50.2