Inter-community federation compact

Inter-community federation compact

Purpose

Small communities can govern themselves closely but cannot, alone, run a hospital, defend a watershed or negotiate with a state. This compact lets self-governing communities share what they must while keeping everything else at home. Powers flow upward only when listed; everything not listed stays with the member communities.

Article 1. Members

1. The federation is formed by the communities that sign this compact. Each keeps its own charter, assembly and institutions.
2. A community joins by a decision of its own assembly accepting the compact and a decision of the federal council by two-thirds majority.

Article 2. Shared matters

The federation acts only on the following matters:

1. shared infrastructure listed in the schedule (water, energy, transport links);
2. common services that members choose to pool, listed in the schedule;
3. relations with states and other federations;
4. disputes between member communities;
5. the solidarity fund under Article 7.

Any matter not listed belongs to the member communities. A matter may be added only by amendment of this compact.

Article 3. Federal council

1. Each member community sends delegates to the federal council: two for each community, plus one more for each full 5,000 members, up to a maximum of six.
2. Delegates are chosen by their community's own method, carry its mandate on matters it has decided, report back after each session, and may be recalled by their community at any time.
3. The council decides by a majority of delegates that also includes a majority of member communities.
4. The council meets openly and publishes its decisions and each delegate's vote.

Article 4. Contributions

Each member contributes to the federal budget in proportion to its population, unless the council adopts another formula by the majority in Article 3(3) and a two-thirds majority of members.

Article 5. Subsidiarity and review

1. The federation acts on a shared matter only if the goal cannot be reached sufficiently by member communities acting alone or together by agreement.
2. Any member community may ask the federal arbitration panel to annul a federal decision that goes beyond Article 2 or breaches subsidiarity.

Article 6. Disputes between members

1. Disputes between member communities go first to mediation by a delegate of a third community chosen by both.
2. If mediation fails within 60 days, either community may refer the dispute to the federal arbitration panel: three arbiters drawn by lot from a roster nominated by all members, excluding nominees of the parties.
3. Members undertake to comply with awards. Persistent refusal may lead the council to suspend the member's voting rights, but never its right to withdraw.

Article 7. Joining and leaving

1. A member community may withdraw by a decision of its own assembly, with 12 months' notice.
2. A withdrawing member keeps its own assets, settles its share of federal debts and obligations incurred while it was a member, and receives its share of federal assets under the exit and asset-division procedure, applied by the arbitration panel.
3. Infrastructure shared with other members remains under joint operation until a new agreement is reached.

Article 8. Solidarity fund and minimum guarantees

1. Each member pays 2% of its annual revenue into a solidarity fund, which assists members struck by disaster or with revenue per person below 60% of the federal average.
2. Every member community guarantees to its residents the entrenched rights listed in the schedule, including the right to leave. A member that persistently violates them may be suspended from the council by a two-thirds majority of members, after a hearing.
3. Communities whose members are not territorially concentrated (networks, diasporas, online communities) may join on the same terms, with delegate numbers based on verified membership.