FCL Farmer Collaboration Fund - Support Designed for Commoners

Commons farming is different. Shared grazing, shared decisions, shared responsibilities often result in shared problems that don’t get solved as no one has the time, headspace or structure to deal with them properly. The Farmer Collaboration Fund is a chance to change that and the Foundation for Common Land (FCL) is creating a support structure built specifically for farming commoners rather than generic farm-clusters.

FCL is the only organisation in England that works solely on commons governance and commoner collaboration. We’ve spent more than 15 years working directly with commoners across dozens of upland and lowland commons. We understand how grazing systems actually work, how groups make decisions and the informal norms that shape day-to-day management. This fund builds on that experience.

For more information about the FCL Farmer Collaboration Fund project please sign up using the form or get in touch with us via info@foundationforcommonland.org.uk

What your group will get

A dedicated facilitator for your commons group - someone who knows commons, not just farming in general. This may be someone already involved in your group. Their job is to help your group:

  • Strengthen or re-establish your group / association

  • Improve governance and decision-making and work through long-standing issues

  • Coordinate grazing and habitat management

  • Improve farm business performance

  • Plan for future schemes and opportunities, including CSHT and alternatives

This is practical support aimed at making collaboration easier and more effective.

Access to national learning and expertise - each facilitator will also work nationally with the other facilitators on a series of themes (governance, grazing, climate change, habitat management, etc). This creates a network of commoners across England who can share solutions and compare approaches.

Why this approach works

Although every common has its own history and landscape, the issues are often very similar. You keep your local identity and priorities but gain access to wider experience. By linking groups nationally, we can:

  • Share solutions that already work elsewhere and reduce duplication of effort

  • Build confidence in collaborative approaches

  • Strengthen the collective voice of commoners

  • Make sure learning from one place benefits many

Why FCL

We’re not general facilitators. Commons are our entire focus. We bring:

  • Specialist knowledge of common land law, governance and shared grazing

  • Longstanding trust built through direct work with commoners

  • National reach and connections with protected landscapes and statutory bodies

  • A proven track record of helping groups resolve issues and work together

What this means for your group

You get support that fits how your common actually works, plus a link into a wider network of commoners facing similar challenges. It’s a chance to strengthen your group, improve collaboration and plan confidently for the future.