about us
What if we could create a world in which humans and the earth lived in interconnected harmony, inspiring each other, caring for and respecting each other’s needs and boundaries? What if we could imagine ways of living and doing together that are based on values of generosity, regeneration, mutualism, care and humour? What if we create a world in which we strive towards equity, not equality? How can we strengthen practices such as commons, lumbung, bioregionalism, buen vivir, ubuntu, maaya and rebalance the market economy and state in their support?
Why are we here?
Today’s dominant economies erode the conditions for life. Schumacher Action Labs exists to help grow commons-based, life-affirming economies — ways of living and organising that increase the conditions for people, land, and other beings to thrive.
We support and connect this work by:
- Forming a community of practice around the commons. We create spaces to learn, imagine, and experiment together — lectures, summer schools, gatherings, labs.
- Supporting commons based initiatives. We host and accompany initiatives with legal, administrative, and fiscal support.
- Exploring how to common. We develop and share practical tools and methods for a commons practice.
- Creating a holistic vision of the commons. We weave links between projects and ecosystems from different areas (like art, education, regenerative agriculture) so knowledge, resources, and care can move.