We are used to a world where the dominant economic system is based on competition, scarcity, and accumulation. But what would happen if we changed our perspective and focused on values like abundance, reciprocity, and sharing?
Bringing this vision to life is the goal of the Abundance Fellowship, a peer learning program that challenges traditional conventions and brings together social innovators from all over the world, inviting them to rethink their relationship with money, the economy, and prosperity as a whole.
Between September and December 2024, Studio SHIFT and other 22 changemakers from 20 different countries participated in this experience, supported by the Bosch Alumni Network and IaC Berlin.
A Path to Reconnecting with money
In our experience, the Abundance Fellowship was truly transformative.
The journey we started last year gave us the opportunity to explore a more conscious economy through sharing practices that made us question the paradigms of scarcity and individualism, discovering the importance of Gift Economy and a holistic view of Value (reference: 8 Capital System).
It also allowed participants to apply a systemic approach to their projects, integrating new perspectives on the social and environmental impact of their business activities.
Social innovators from all over the world
The 2024 Abundance Fellowship participants come from diverse sectors but share a common desire to create positive change in their social, cultural, and work environments.
The key themes discussed included:
- Regenerative agriculture and permaculture
- Education and social justice
- Zero waste & de-growth
- Youth empowerment and female leadership
- Climate change and environmental rights
- Journalism, arts, and cultural heritage
The social innovators taking part are alumni of major programs within the Bosch Alumni Network, such as ChangemakerXchange, MitOst, Global Diplomacy Lab, Tandem Europe, and many others.
Toward a regenerative economy
The Abundance Fellowship didn’t end with the conclusion of the three-month training program. Participants continue to be part of a community working to spread regenerative and collaborative economic practices.
For further exploration, the Abundance Resources Corner offers a digital library with over 180 free resources for those who want to explore fairer and more sustainable economic models. This is an invitation to rethink our relationship with the economy and join forces to create a more just and prosperous future.
Studio SHIFT launches the Abundance Club
But that’s not all. The journey has sparked deep reflection within Studio SHIFT, leading us to a pivotal step: the launch of our own ecosocial business regeneration program: the Abundance Club.
With this initiative, we aim to support small organizations with “abundant ideas” capable of creating significant social, cultural, or environmental impact, but often lacking the necessary resources to scale up.
The Abundance Club is open to non-profit organizations that are newly founded or have an annual income of less than 20,000 Euros.
If your organization has an urgent need for change and requires support to grow your project, you can apply by April 13, 2025, via our form. The selected ideas will receive a 3,000 Euro value in free support for the proposed activities.
Eligible organizations can come from any geographical location, with no restrictions on the average age of members or gender. The only requirement is that they are legally constituted and have a concrete and valuable change project.
Selections will be made by April 30, 2025, and the chosen organizations will have the opportunity to collaborate with Studio SHIFT to develop their project and generate positive impacts.
Every year, we allocate a part of our revenue – 6% over the past three years – to support pro bono initiatives. With the Abundance Club, we aim to structure this commitment even further, leveraging our expertise to make a real difference.
If you want to take your idea to the next level, apply now! And for any questions or clarifications, feel free to contact us at: hello@studioshift.it
Join us: together, we can create a lasting positive impact!
Make a Shift is Studio Shift's e-magazine, focused on design and social innovation, where you can find articles and case histories of our projects.
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