Our Approach
Our approach has grown organically over the years based on a lot of trial and error, curiosity, and humility. We are always learning, and always working to address the many global challenges we face in an ethical, participatory and regenerative manner.
It has been our experience, that the biggest barrier to creating change is shifting our thinking, values and behavior both individually and collectively. The necessary knowledge and tools exist to create a better world, but tools are only as good as the hand (and society) that wields them.
Our approach focuses on how to bring about this underlying shift at the community level, so that necessary knowledge and skills can be successfully implemented, and support regenerative systems to emerge from the ground up.
Asking The Right Questions
Each project is unique and requires tailoring. No glove fits everyone’s hand, and we design projects with the direct assistance of all stakeholders.
We do not give you a “solution,” we work with you and your group to assist and collaborate to provide pathways to the set goal. The pathway is not exclusive, but inclusive of all interested parties. How is this done? We use our DID approach.
Deep Listening: It is a skill to listen. It is even a greater skill to deeply listen to all affected parties in a potential new program or project
Interview: Understanding the project from each stakeholder’s perspective
Discussion: Facilitated community discussion giving equal voice to all stakeholders especially those most marginalized.
Working Regeneratively & Holistically
Our goal is to regenerate planet, people and society from the bottom up. We look at the whole system and connect all the pieces without leaving any part, person or group out. We think holistically as we interconnect the pieces of the project to fit into ecological and social implementation solutions that will benefit all stakeholders, including the ecosystem.
Our expertise is around projects concerning the environment, social justice, indigenous rights, and climate change.. We only work with stakeholders in projects who are concerned about planet and people. We are happy to work with you in creating projects or partnerships which meet ethical goals and create a better environment for all. We are well versed in fair trade, community empowerment, project audits, ecological solutions, agroecology, permaculture, research, and developing creative, innovative, and inclusive implementation solutions.
Remaining Grassroots
To us, “grassroots” is the way to achieve success. Too often, large organizations think the way to solve problems is to throw large amounts of money at a project and use a hierarchical, western, top-down approach to get results. This is the main problem with many NGO’s working in the developing world.
For us, the only way to achieve desired results is to include the very people you are going to help in all decision making. They need to be listened to and respected and INCLUDED in each and every step of any desired project. We work from the ground up with you and your project team. We facilitate a discussion with everyone to achieve the common goals of the project.