European Newsletter - May'25

Welcome to the May edition of the IDN European Circle newsletter! A long one with a lot of events listed, so a spotlight on the latest additions:
- Documentary 'running on candles' released
- More than enough (Belgium) is looking for materials or experience with education and degrowth
- Two workshops added, one tomorrow in Vienna and one in Machester (June 4-5th)!
- Global Degrowth Day 2025 on June 7th!
- Tickets for the Agroecology Europe Forum 2025 are now available!

European Circle update

During our last Circle meeting (see also the minutes (external link)) we fixed the date and topic for our first webinar: if you are interested in Rights of nature and how this relates to degrowth, mark the evening of April 29th in your calendar (exact time will follow)! As usual, we also shared updates on what's cooking in the different degrowth groups in Europe.

We are also very pleased to welcome our latest organization that joined the IDN from Berlin: Growing Out of Growth (GOOG) (https://growingoutofgrowth.org/ (external link)). They are responsible for example of the very successful Degrowthuary campaign last February.

Check out their Instagram (external link) for more information.

Calls for help!

Documentary 'running on candles' released
Intermedia Producciones has recently released their new documentary Running on candles (external link). The docu shows how, in 2022, residents from working-class neighbourhoods in Sevilla rose up against electricity company Endesa for imposing indiscriminate power cuts, while accusing the residents of stealing electricity. In this way, Endesa tried to cover up its lack of investment by criminalising working-class neighbourhoods.

The documentary exposes this dynamic of power cuts as being global and classist, with examples of people fighting for the right to electricity in the Sierra de Cádiz, in Kurdistan, California, Senegal and Puerto Rico. It also gives valuable reflections on how the devastating implementation of large-scale renewables is related to the depletion of fossil fuels.

Check out the trailer here (external link)!

Materials or experience with education and degrowth

The Belgian More than enough network has recently gathered again after a more quiet period and a working group on degrowth in education has formed! Several projects are ongoing in different contexts (Erasmus+ for a broad range of ages, entering degrowth in technical bachelor and master programmes...), but the group feels like all input is welcome. If you have experience with bringing a degrowth perspective into an educational context (in particular where it's usually not mentioned), or know of any interesting sources, they'd be happy to get in touch. You can reach them through the contact form (external link) on their website.

Upcoming events/actions

MAY

Vienna [Austria], May 2nd

On May 2nd (so tomorrow!), Degrowth Vienna is organising a workshop titled: Degrowth: A solution to climate crisis and inequality? You can find more info here (external link)!


JUNE

Manchester [UK], June 4-5th

Another workshop on degrowth! In Manchester this time, with the title: Collectively Situated Knowledge: A decolonial research method for constructing collective auto-narratives and positionalities. To apply, you can fill out the form here (external link) (there's room until all spaces are filled). The payment deadline (if accepted): June 2nd, 2025. The workshop takes place on June 4th-5th, each day from 10am to 6pm. Specific details on the exact location will be provided upon acceptance. 

Global Degrowth Day 2025, June 7th

This year we are resuming the tradition of celebrating Global Degrowth Day on the first Saturday in June, which falls on June 7, 2025.
Please use the form below to register your event and contribute to a world map of degrowth celebrations demonstrating the liveliness of the movement. https://my.liberaforms.org/registration-gdd-2025 (external link) (external link)
(external link)

Vienna [Austria], June 13th

The Austrian version of the Beyond Growth conferences that have been taking place across Europe since 2023 is happening in June! You can find more information on the Beyond Growth Forum Austria here (external link)

Oslo [Norway], June 23-27th

  • June 23rd - Beyond Growth conference at the University of Oslo (Ole Johan Dahls Hus). Kate Raworth will deliver a keynote, but the event will mostly be in Norwegian.
  • June 23rd - 6th International Assembly of the Degrowth Movement (in-person)
  • June 24-27th - The conference ISEE-Degrowth 2025 (external link) is jointly organised as the 18th Conference of the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) and the 11th International Degrowth Conference.

JULY

Barcelona [Spain], July 3-6th

Strategy conference on degrowth of aviation and tourism

The conference will happen in Barcelona between 3rd-6th July 2025 (tbc) with the potential for hubs in other places of the world as well as with hybrid formats to attend online. It is built up around the following questions:

  • Where do we stand with our struggles and where should we focus our energy in the coming years?
  • What skills will we need as a movement in a world of escalating crises
  • How can our struggle against aviation and tourism connect to the struggles of those fighting to meet their essential needs?
  • How can we join forces and learn from each other?

Sign up here (external link) to receive updates about the conference!

Vienna [Austria], July 14th to August 4th

Alternative economic and monetary systems

BOKU University, OeAD student housing and Economy for the Common Good are organising Summer University courses on alternative economic and monetary systems, aimed at international students and professionals. Find more information on the program on their website (external link)!


Jyväskylä [Finland], July 21-28th

Study circle on degrowth and exnovation

The second session of a study circle (external link) that in fact spans three years, this time with a focus on community building in the midst of collapse. Registration is still open and you can find more details and the price range for the full week including lodging, meals, membership and the program here (external link).


AUGUST

Freie Feldlage Harzgerode [Germany], August 4-10th

Altshift Festival

This year is all about building alliances with other related movements. It's a shift we are desiring in our society, a shift away from eco-social injustices, from consumerism, from the colonial matrix of power; a shift in a direction we are shining lights on, even if we need more lights to pave the way. Then this shift must be preceded by pressing Alt. More info on Instagram (external link) or on the festival's website (external link)


SEPTEMBER

Istanbul [Turkey], Sept 12-14th

Next Economies 
https://nexteconomies.net/ (external link)
(external link)
The root cause of the climate, biodiversity, and social crises lies within our current economic system. Last year's International Prosumer Economy Conference (IPEC2024), Youtube videos here (external link), showed strong interest for coming together again and working towards "United Next Economies."

Next Economies is distinct from other conferences due to its focus on actionable systemic solutions and their practical implementation. This unique approach attracts a diverse and influential global audience. Our conference draws in policy makers, impact and philanthrophic investors, companies and social entrepreneurs interested in sustainable and innovative practices. It also engages NGOs, international organizations, academia and professionals from various sectors, including finance, media, tech, and creative industries.
Stay updated with the latest news by following our social media accounts!

Kalentzi [Greece], September 21-24th

Summer School: Life after growth

After two consecutive years of exploring fragments of life after growth, this year we set off to re-discover utopia amidst hopeless and crisis-ridden times. We invite students, early career researchers, activists and practitioners to join us for a dive deep into the reality of local commons-based initiatives to learn and co-create new crafts of living that are in harmony with the human and planetary condition. 

Where: Kalentzi, Northern Tzoumerka, Greece
Application deadline: 5 May 2025
More info and details on how to apply here (external link)
Please, share away to anyone that you think might be interested!
We are looking forward to welcoming you in our little community!


Copenhagen [Denmark], Sept 21st-22nd

Degrowth Festival

Degrowth CPH, together with other Danish organisations, is organising their Degrowth Festival again! More information soon to come, but as a sneak peak you can find last year's facebook event here (external link) and the recordings of some of the sessions on the YouTube channel of the Syndicate of Creatures (external link).

Madrid [Spain], Sept 26-27th

Beyond Growth España Conference: Toward a just degrowth

  • September 26th in the Spanish Parliament (Congreso de los Diputados)
  • September 27th: Social Forum - Make hope possible

Estonia, September/October

Beyond Growth Conference in their parliament or in nature.
More info to come


OCTOBER

Malmö [Sweden], October 2-4th

Agroecology Europe Forum 2025

The tickets for Agroecology Europe Forum 2025 are now available! Follow the link to get access to more information regarding the forum and to access the early bird tickets: https://www.aeeuforum2025.se/ (external link).

Sund Folkehøgskole, fall and spring 2025-2026 [Norway]

Sund Folkehøgskole is establishing a new program from Fall 2025-Spring 2026, on the topic of Degrowth. The reason for instating the program is the development we see in society today, with climate change, increased differences, the destruction of nature and far too high consumption (in Norway).
More info on the program here (external link).


2027

The International Degrowth Conference will take a break in 2026 but they are already looking for a host location for 2027. Interested? Check this article for more detail. https://degrowth.info/en/blog/call-for-the-2027-international-degrowth-conference (external link)

Interested in joining as a member of IDN?

If you like what you read and want to further help building this network and bringing Degrowth to all the corners of our society, then you should join the International Degrowth Network and the tool where we work Matrix!

Feel free to share this email with other people or groups that may be interested. Thank you so much in advance!

If you have any other questions or proposals relevant to the European degrowth context, you can contact us at europe@degrowth.net (external link).

We wish you a nice month!

Your degrowther European circle