A micro-community is a relatively small, relationship-rich group whose members interact over time, become known to one another, share a common purpose, contribute reciprocally, and take collective responsibility for action.

Micro-communities can be place-based, interest- or practice-based, affinity-based, or a combination of these. They may form around a shared space (such as a neighbourhood), shared interests and skills, common causes, life experiences, and/or shared concerns. They can also exist across both physical and digital settings. A key distinguishing quality is that they remain relationship-rich.

No, there is no prescribed membership number. “Micro” is as much about the quality of relationships as the number of members. Members should be able to recognise one another, build relationships, understand each other’s needs and capabilities, and develop trust through repeated interactions.

A one-off event — such as a single workshop, clean-up, or festival — is not a micro-community. Such events may be the beginning of one, but attendance alone does not create a micro-community. What matters is whether members encounter one another more than once, with some expectation of meeting again, and over time build the trust, shared norms, and relationships that enable collective action. A messaging group is also not automatically a micro-community. It becomes more community-like only when members use it as a tool to coordinate recurring action, exchange meaningful support, and carry relationships across online and in-person settings.

Designers can create the enabling conditions for the formation of micro-communities who are resilient by virtue of their ability to adapt to disruption and changing needs without losing their core purpose and relationships, and sustainable by virtue of having repeatable routines, distributed roles, clear pathways for new contributors and leaders, and access to resources that allow them to continue their initiatives for community good.