SWoN Training Series: 3-Month Acceleration Program

Announcement: A pivot to how we deliver the SWoN Training Series

Dear supporter of Sustainability-as-the-World-Needs and arkh3,

In the interest of making Sustainability-as-the-World-Needs (SWoN) training as relevant and accessible as possible, and to be able to pursue multiple necessary systemic interventions towards a liveable future and a just society for all, in the limited capacity of our team and the time of the remainder of the decisive decade, via our theory of change, we have decided to pivot the way we deliver the SWoN Training Series.

This pivot will also enable us to grow our capacity and impact more sustainably and effectively, while also modelling degrowth-compatible working cultures and a holistic approach to health.

Summary of key updates:

  1. A shift to an application process and more co-creation in the 3-Month Acceleration Program

  2. Rollout of modular SWoN Training Series Offerings

  3. What else we’ll focus on in the next few months

I: More Co-creation in 3-Month Acceleration Program

  • While we are convinced (and keep hearing through feedback) that the 3-Month Acceleration Program is possibly by far the most relevant offering for driving systemic change from in corporations out there, we also increasingly recognise that this delivery model presents high barriers to entry - for both potential participants (time, money), and us (effort intensity of marketing, content creation, delivery of live integration sessions in multiple time zones).

  • The approach where we first commit to dates, timing of calls, frequency of content release and live sessions and then attempt to gather a big enough cohort is not agile enough, and may not be most effective for delivering systemic change.

  • Also, we see this as an opportunity to introduce (even) more co-creation into our SWoN offerings. 

  • From Cohort 2 onwards, we will shift towards an application process and invite pre-registrations: expressions of serious interest in the 3-Month Acceleration Program. Only once a near critical mass is reached, we will convene with the applicants and co-create the final design of the cohort, such as the pace of the program, timezone requirements for live sessions, topical emphasis that is most targeted to cohort needs.

  • This means Cohort 2 will no longer launch on February 20, 2024, but at a future date co-determined with our applicants.

  • Changes to this effect will be reflected on our public website by January 26th.

II: Rollout of Modular SWoN Training Series Offerings

  • In parallel, we will begin updating, developing and delivering the SWoN Training Series content in a modular fashion - via online resources, paid Masterclass events, and standalone online workshops (integration sessions).

  • This will allow more experienced or busy interested candidates to engage with the content and interventions on a more targeted basis - opting for what is most relevant to their internal context right now, and investing into other modules as and when the need arises.

  • On the other hand, it will enable less experienced candidates to engage with very affordable foundational training content - establishing a more profound, systemic understanding of real-world sustainability imperatives, the reasons why sustainability-as-usual practices are inconsequential for attaining a liveable future, and so forth.

  • It will also enable us to grow the SWoN Community - a community of empowered change-agents working towards the same theory of change - faster, achieving more cross-fertilisation and mutual galvanisation in a shorter span of time, which we deem mission critical. 

  • Those who have passed any modular training offering would still be able to join the 3-Month Acceleration Program in the future and receive a proportional discount.

  • We believe this approach will enable us to enhance both the quality and scope of our work.

  • You can find our examples of our upcoming paid events here - several more will be added in the next few days - and about example modular offering here.

III: What else we’ll focus on in the next few months

  • Rolling out and scaling our Advisory Offerings and direct work with Business Leaders

  • Foundational Training opportunities - for sustainability professionals and career changers looking to build an understanding of the inadequacy of sustainability-as-usual and of Sustainability-as-the-World-Needs Approaches

  • Broadening of the perspectives and voices represented in SWoN

  • Partnerships and alliance building

  • Community building

If you have questions about his update, please don’t hesitate to contact us.