与 is the formal/written equivalent of 和 (hé, and). In everyday speech, Chinese people use 和, but in writing, news, and formal contexts, 与 is preferred.
grammar
与 can also mean 'to give' in classical Chinese and set phrases like 与其…不如… (yǔqí...bùrú..., 'rather than...it's better to...').
usage
与其…不如… is a very common pattern: 与其等着，不如自己去做 (Rather than waiting, it's better to do it yourself).
