> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.gitcoin.co/gitcoin-knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.gitcoin.co/gitcoin-knowledge-base/gitcoin-grants/general-questions/what-are-public-goods.md).

# What are Public Goods?

> **“In economics, a "public good" refers to anything that is both *****non-excludable***** and *****non-rivalrous,***** that is, people can't be barred access, and one person's use doesn't degrade another's.**

Clean air is an example of a naturally occurring public good, while the electric grid is a public good created by people.

#### What are the public goods of today's industrial-knowledge society?

Open source code, which supports millions of companies and independent developers, is often thought of this way.

The cypherpunks considered privacy itself as a kind of public good.

A **great public good** should:

**• Be values-based** — in service of a set of values your community cares about.

**• Have longevity** — be achievable and maintainable.

**• Create positive externalities** — benefits a public beyond an immediate set of users.

Gitcoin started off focusing on Digital Public Goods (like Open Source software) but we have now expanded into real-life Public Goods.

To learn more about public goods checkout:

{% embed url="<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public:good:(economics)>" %}


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