GeoRelations and Design where we explore and work with the relationships within specific places and spaces of different scales, from countries, regions and cities, to villages, buildings and rooms. There is also online space and our inner space. Together, we then prepare and design these places and spaces so that they can receive the seeds of the new/ the next that wants to be planted and emerge there. Preparing the soil is a metaphor for preparing and clear our systems to receive … Read more
Future Scenarios Different story lines about the future can help us to create resilient solutions (adaptative plans considering different future scenarios)
Future scenarios is a multi stakeholder methodology where all stakeholders linked to a topic are offered the chance to listen to each other and discuss relations between future possibilities around the topic or question. We consider different types of key factors, or drivers of change, to discuss and build a storyline from the future to the present: Sociopolitical Psychosocial / Cultural Scientific / Technological Environmental Economical Demographic References: ● … Read more
Empowered Fundraising Raising funds through building relationships
See the need to fundraise as an opportunity to build community. In asking someone for money, we are actually offering them the opportunity to engage with a meaningful project and with us personally. Who is really giving here? The aim is to build diverse networks of support and ongoing engagement. We also see that even when we receive a ‘no’ there is an opportunity to gain new information and to build our networks. References: ● Twist,Lynne The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our … Read more
Creating a Business Plan How to create a business plan
Create a Business Plan that is as simple or as complicated as desired. The main aim of a business plan is to create a clear view of the objectives of the business and how to attain them. This will ensure that everyone who is collaborating with its implementation has a clear view of the direction. There are many examples and templates of Business Plans online. Pick the one you feel is most appropriate for your organization. Social enterprises tend to be resourceconstrained organizations, … Read more
Appreciative Inquiry Solving problems by building on success
the Appreciative Inquiry process involves people telling stories about positive experiences they have had at work or in groups and distilling the common values and processes that underpin these (Discover); daring to be bold and developing a ‘Provocative Proposition’ that embodies the highest potential of the group (Dream); then designing pathways towards its achievement (Design) and, finally, ... doing it (Deliver)! It is a high energy, generative process that builds on positive prior … Read more
The 5 Dimensions of Sustainability Designing our ventures and projects in a holistic way
The Ecovillage Design Mandala was created by ecovillage educators in 2004, as the core symbol of the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE). This map describes a holistic map for sustainable design and development, embracing the social, worldview, ecological and economic dimensions of sustainability. The mandala can be applied to systems on all levels: to the life of an individual, to an organization or enterprise, an intentional community, traditional village, urban neighbourhood, region, etc. … Read more
Transforming Enemy Images Taking back ones own projections
There may be a good reason why people have built up their enemy pictures. Honoring these reasons while also investigating this enemy image helps to open oneself to interaction and also to integrate and investigate the positive qualities that hide behind the initial appearance and behaviour of people. references: Mindell, Arnold (1997): Sitting in the Fire: Large Group Transformation Using Conflict and Diversity; Lao Tse Press, Portland Submitted by Pioneers of Change … Read more
Systemic Constellation Work An approach to revealing and unravelling hidden and unexpected dynamics operating within systems aiming to find a healthy and respectful place for all members of the system in question.
Systemic constellations create a living dynamic map of an issue within a certain system and are a practical, respectful and often profound way of illuminating the dynamics in coaching, organisational and other relational systems. The map (made up of ‘representatives’ – people in workshops, or objects in onetoone coaching) which a constellation creates, allows coach and client to access the wider system, see the hidden forces at play and identify new paths to lasting resolution. The … Read more
Inner Team Aligning the voices inside yourself
In order to grow authentically and spiritually especially if you uncover uncomfortable truths about yourself it is essential to discern the different voices within yourself, to understand their nature and their deeper message. Then we can begin to learn about how to let them work as a team and integrate them into our personality and viewpoints. And if we learn how to integrate conflicting voices inside ourselves then our ability to do this in outer relationships and situations is likely … Read more
The Practice of Forum Building transparency and authenticity in community
In the practice of Forum, we come together in ongoing groups to share deeply and authentically what is alive in us. With skillful facilitation, an atmosphere of safety is created, which enables us to step out of our comfort zone and into deeper levels of vulnerability and creativity. We also start to see ourselves as an integral part of the whole and not an isolated fragment. As witnesses, we build the capacity to hold more of the richness and diversity of human experience without being … Read more
