Rhizome: Pathways for Regenerative Futures
Are you a narrative practitioner, artist, journalist, storyteller, or activist working at the intersection of culture change & regenerative solutions? The Rhizome Fellowship is a nine-month journey designed to equip you with tools for narrative-led systems change.
📅 Rhizome Open Calls: 26 March & 2 April 2026 | Application deadline: 16 April
↓ Meet the 2025 cohort
Navigating Toward Regenerative Futures
These pathways emerged from the research series Beyond the Carbon Fixation: Pathways to Regenerative Futures — set out to find pathways to liberate land, waters, ecosystems, and communities from the enclosures of capitalism and colonialism. When interwoven, they serve as a navigational tool for systems change.
Restoring Justice, Restoring Life
The inseparable connection between ecological restoration and social justice. Healing ecosystems requires addressing colonial and capitalist exploitation.
Economies of Regeneration
Moving away from extractive economies toward regenerative, circular models that prioritize community resilience and ecological wellbeing.
Land Back to Right Relationship
Returning land to community stewardship through collective ownership models, like Community Land Trusts — away from corporate enclosure.
Bioregional Community Governance
Decentralized governance structures that empower communities to manage their resources and environments in ways that align with ecological limits.
Healing the Spirit, Healing the Earth
Reconnecting with spiritual and cultural practices that honor the Earth and challenge the disconnection and alienation that drives exploitation.
Two Phases to Enter the Fellowship
Culture Hacking 101
Thursday 26 March & Thursday 2 April 2026 · 11:00–12:30 Mexico City Time
Before the fellowship selection in April, we invite anyone interested in narrative-led systems change to join our two Introductory Sessions. These open sessions will explore:
- Open Call 1: Narrative-led Systems Change
- Open Call 2: Rhizome Fellowship
Two 90-minute online sessions, open to anyone interested in narrative change, storytelling, and systemic transformation. Attendance is required to apply for the full fellowship.
Project Submission & Selection
March 26 – April 16, 2026
At the end of the Introductory Sessions, those who wish to apply will be invited to submit a Narrative Project Proposal. We are looking for:
- A project that aligns with one of the Pathways to Regenerative Futures
- A clear connection to the applicant’s ongoing work or activism in systems change
- A commitment to developing the project through the Culture Hack Method
- One leading and one supporting person collaborating in the project
- A project that has the potential for real-world narrative impact
Fellowship Benefits
Nine Months of Shared Practice
Bi-weekly online sessions and one week in-person gathering (May–December 2026)
Tools to design and execute narrative interventions that disrupt extractive models
A global cohort of storytellers, organizers, and researchers
Thursdays 11:00–12:30 Mexico City Time — compulsory attendance
Develop a narrative hack with direct impact in your community (Nov–Dec 2026)
Meet fellows and co-create collective strategies in Costa Rica, October 22–28, 2026
Is This For You?
- Artists, media-makers, journalists, and researchers working in narrative change
- Community organizers and activists embedding narrative strategy into their work
- Organizations or collectives already working on a narrative initiative
- Those ready to challenge colonial worldviews and cultivate regenerative narratives
- Applicants from diverse backgrounds committed to deep collaboration
Fellows must apply as a collective or organization with at least two participants. The fellowship should support and be integrated into your existing work or activism.
*Participation requires obtaining a Costa Rican visa. While CHL provides full logistical and financial support throughout the visa process, visa access is shaped by external immigration systems. We recognise these barriers disproportionately impact participants from Global Majority countries.
From Application to Impact
Together, we Rhizome.