Regenerative economy lab

Expert-designed courses in new economic thinking

About

The Regenerative Economy Lab aims to educate and empower more people to play a role in transforming our economies to achieve good lives for all within planetary boundaries

Our current economic system, which prioritises profits and growth over people and planet, is driving us towards collapse.

Many new approaches exist—from Wellbeing Economics to Doughnuts and Degrowth—yet most academic courses and business schools are stuck teaching out-dated models, and there is a gap between theory and practice.

That’s where we come in. We combine leading research and real-world examples with transformative education techniques to create spaces where people can come together to learn, connect, and identify ways they can take action—individually, and collectively. Scroll down to see our programmes or go here to find out more.

Recent workshops

Seeds of Change, 10-11 July 2025, Permafuture Farm, Berlin
Regenerative Finance Pioneers, 22-23 October 2025, Gleis 21, Vienna
Ready to Act, Online cohort, November-December 2025
Into the Woods, 23-24 May 2025, Villa Kraus, Vienna

Upcoming

Regenerative Economy Pioneers

Building a cooperative economy from the ground up
Dates: 14-15 April
Location: Předkláštěří, near Brno, Czechia
About: To shift towards regenerative economies, we need to move beyond profit-maximising, extractive ownership models. Cooperatives provide a tested way to democratise economic ownership and decision-making while meeting genuine needs and providing meaningful work. In this two-day seminar, participants will learn about cooperative models and explore how to implement and scale them in their contexts together with other budding cooperative founders, practitioners, and international experts.

This workshop is hosted together with partners NaZemi with support from Erste Foundation via Civic Innovation Fund. We are pleased to be able to offer fully supported places for those on low or precarious incomes. We particularly encourage younger people, women, and those from marginalised backgrounds to apply for a Supported place.
Pricing: €150 Standard | €300 Supporter | From €0 Supported
The price includes one night of accommodation in the venue, a restored monastery near Brno, plus all meals (vegan or vegetarian) which are freshly prepared on site.

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Ready to Act: Our flagship online lab

Regenerative economics from theory to practice

Next dates: 7 April to 22 May (Cohort #3) and 2 June to 17 July 2026 (Cohort #4)
About: A seven-week programme to explore regenerative economics and ways to move from theory to practice.

Involves around five hours of engagement per week comprising self-paced reading, learning, and discussions in our weekly Live Labs, Community Talks and our Hylo community. Live labs are on Tuesdays at 17:00-18:15 CET or Wednesdays at 09:00-10:15 CET. Community Talks - intimate discussions with regenerative economy practitioners - are on Thursdays at 17:00-18:00 CET or Fridays 09:00-10:00 CET. Following the programme participants will continue to have access to all lessons, the online community and receive invitations for future events and Talks.

It was a great experience! From the exchange with Katy and all the wonderful people that joined the labs, to the engaging speakers, to the well-curated written classes. This lab made me think, question, wonder, ask, and, most of all, it made me want to act! - Participant, Cohort #1

Pricing: €250 Standard | €400 Enterprise | €150 Reduced

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People

KATY SHIELDS

REGENERATIVE ECONOMIST, FOUNDER & COURSE DIRECTOR. Creator and Facilitator of the Ready to Act online cohort.
Joshua Stehr

SYSTEMIC DESIGNER, RESEARCHER, FACILITATOR. Creator and Co-facilitator of Seeds of Change two-day changemakers’ workshop.
Tadeáš Žďárský

TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATOR, POST-GROWTH SPECIALIST. Co-designer and facilitator of the Regenerative Pioneers programme.
Colleen Schneider

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIST, SPECIALIST IN MODERN MONETARY THEORY. Expert contributor.