Collaboration Incubator *18 Report #1

BLN1810
Celebratory activity
during Collaboration
Incubator in Berlin in
May 2018 with Marit
Vos as our cook
By Momo C. Gumz)
Through her work as trainer for the collaborative project design framework Dragon Dreaming, Manuela
experienced that workshop participants are connecting fast and deep, but after meeting in a workshop
focused on skill learning, it’s difficult to keep collaborating, even though good intentions are there.
„There needs to be a reason for people to keep reconnecting. The activists and leaders I am speaking
to, seem to have no more time to waste in workshops. At the same time people do want to network,
connect on a deeper level and learn. Why not use the combined intelligence of a diverse group of
people coming together interested in the collective change processes that are necessary? When we
make time to travel and meet over three days, let’s work on the pressing question of what we can do
for global issues! Could it be possible to work on a collective dream and also not let it’s realization be
left to chance, but intentionally work on it? There is no guarantee to come to conclusion on this over
the three days, but it’s worth to try!“
'find good ways to use the resources we have wisely, plus all of our creativity’
When we as participants of the incubators discover what our shared dream for democracy is, we will
start acting upon it – either through what we are already doing or through a shared project that comes
out of the process. Either way is supported. The diversity of people and views present will enlarge our
individual view or sector view. This fosters tolerance and consciousness.
'we can only be as global as the reach of the network is'
Enlarging the pool of diversity among the participants is one of the highest goals and greatest
challenges. Diversity comes for example by bringing people together from different socio-economicreligious-political
backgrounds, but also from the wealth of experience an individual brings from their
work and field of interest. The diversity topic is challenging, since first: we can only be as global as the
reach of the network is; secondly: Diversity is dependent on our financial resources, too – this is why
we i.e look for patrons for one-on-one scholarships and other ways of independent funding; and thirdly:
Levering diversity depends more than ever on our own leadership capacity to deal with race, gender
and inclusivity topics.
There seems to be an opening now, a commitment to come together and collaborate better. This
program is contributing to what is already happening on so many levels and places. And, there is still
so much work to do. Many active in organizing societal change feel there is no time to rest! Therefore
another main goal of the incubator is about inspiring for self-care, so that we don’t burn out on the way.
It is so important to find good ways to use the resources we have wisely, plus all of our creativity, to
make sure that our power and energy endures all the way. The way of activism this Incubator supports
is meant to be straight forward and honest, yet unexpected and joyful.
In the recent Collaboration Incubator in May 2018 in Berlin the participants learned through a Social
Presencing Theater 4D Mapping experiment about the importance of
borders. We learned, they are not only separating us. They really help us to collaborate better across
our fields and different stakeholders. If we look at borders that exist in the natural world, for example
the zone between the river and the forest, this is where the most biodiversity can be found. In
permaculture this zone is called ecotone. Also personal relationships provide a classic example.
Maybe others experience this, too: When we put too much attention onto another person, trying
identifying with them and their actions, we are faster questioning whether we agree with them or not.
The possibility of conflict can become greatly increased.