The Change Collective 2026 offers a unique opportunity for individuals dedicated to climate and environmental action. This program is designed to provide a space for reflection and strategic thinking, especially during times of global uncertainty. It aims to help participants clarify their purpose and refine their approach to collective action.
This initiative is co-hosted with Jonathon Porritt, a well-known figure in sustainability. The program brings together experienced professionals, activists, policymakers, and younger changemakers. It acknowledges the challenges faced by young people today, including economic difficulties, worsening climate impacts, and political instability. By offering a chance to pause and reimagine action, the Change Collective fosters resilience and clarity. Notably, two fully funded spots are available for individuals aged 18 to 25, presenting a significant chance for emerging climate leaders.
About the Change Collective Programme
The Change Collective is a leadership and reflection program focused on nature. It is intended for people already working in climate and environmental fields. This includes those involved in activism, policy, corporate sustainability, community organizing, and environmental advocacy. The program centers around a key question: “What now, and what is mine to do?” This guiding question shapes all aspects of learning, reflection, and peer exchange.
The core purpose of the Change Collective is to help participants achieve several goals. These include gaining clarity in a complex world, strengthening their resilience, building strong peer networks, reconnecting with their purpose, developing collective intelligence for climate action, and stepping back from immediate pressures to engage in strategic thinking.
Programme Structure Overview
The program combines a three-day residential retreat in a natural setting with a three-month online community of practice. This blended approach allows for deep immersion and ongoing support.
Three-Day Residential Retreat (In-Person)
The residential part of the program takes place at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, United Kingdom. It runs from Wednesday, July 1st to Friday, July 3rd, 2026. During this retreat, participants engage in deep reflection and facilitated discussions within a natural environment. The setting is designed to promote clarity and personal transformation.
Key activities during the residential include reflective sessions on individual and collective roles in climate action, structured conversations about climate systems and change, guided experiences in nature, group dialogue, and peer learning. Participants also have time for emotional and strategic reflection on their climate work, stepping away from the pressures of their daily roles. The retreat is structured around three main lenses: “Me” (personal reflection), “You” (relational awareness), and “Us” (collective systems).
Three-Month Community of Practice (Online)
Following the residential retreat, participants continue their learning journey through an online community of practice for three months. This phase includes three group online workshops, scheduled for July 24th, September 11th, and September 25th, 2026. Participants also engage in fortnightly peer coaching sessions, totaling four sessions, and monthly action learning groups, with three sessions planned. This online component provides structured reflection, accountability, and opportunities for peer collaboration and feedback. The focus of this phase is on translating reflections into real-world actions, strengthening peer support, developing collaborative initiatives, and maintaining long-term clarity and accountability.
What Participants Gain
By the end of the Change Collective program, participants can expect to gain several valuable outcomes. They will achieve a clearer understanding of their role within climate and environmental systems. The program aims to improve their emotional resilience when facing uncertainty and enhance their decision-making abilities, leading to greater strategic clarity. Participants will also develop tools for relational and collective leadership, finding renewed energy and motivation for their climate work. Furthermore, they will build a trusted peer network of fellow climate practitioners and gain more confidence in navigating complexity and change.
Why This Programme Matters
The Change Collective directly addresses the pressing realities of our time. Climate impacts are accelerating globally, political systems are becoming more unstable, and institutions often struggle to keep pace. Many climate professionals experience burnout and uncertainty in their work. In response, this program emphasizes the need for deeper collaboration and reflection. By combining nature immersion, reflective dialogue, and structured peer learning, it creates essential space for deeper thinking and more grounded, effective action.
Venue: Sheepdrove Organic Farm
The residential retreat is held at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, a certified organic and environmentally restored landscape located in the North Wessex Downs. This site features chalk grasslands, ancient woodlands, wetlands, and biodiverse ecosystems, alongside sustainable farming systems. Accommodation options range from single and twin rooms to camping. The natural environment is integral to the program’s methodology, helping to reduce stress, improve focus and clarity, and foster deeper systems thinking.
Facilitators and Leadership Team
The program is led by experienced individuals in climate strategy, facilitation, and systems change. These include Jonathon Porritt, an environmental campaigner and sustainability strategist; Chloe Revill, a facilitator and climate diplomacy expert; and Andy Raingold, a leadership coach and transformation facilitator. Their combined experience spans climate policy, civil society, government advisory work, organizational transformation, and nature-based leadership development.
Why Nature Is Central
Nature is more than just a backdrop for the Change Collective; it is a fundamental part of the program’s methodology. Being in nature helps participants reduce cognitive overload, improve attention, and step away from urgency-driven thinking. This allows for a reconnection with long-term systems thinking and a calmer approach to reflecting on complexity. This approach supports more grounded decision-making, particularly in high-pressure environments.
Key Dates
The residential retreat is scheduled for July 1-3, 2026. The online workshops will take place on July 24, September 11, and September 25, 2026. The application deadline is rolling, with a focus on the bursary applications. Interested individuals can find more information and apply via the provided link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Change Collective program for?
The program is for individuals already working in climate and environmental fields, including activists, policymakers, corporate sustainability professionals, community organizers, and environmental advocates.
What is the structure of the Change Collective program?
It includes a three-day in-person residential retreat at Sheepdrove Organic Farm and a three-month online community of practice with workshops and peer coaching.
What are the key benefits of participating in the Change Collective?
Participants can expect to gain clarity, strengthen resilience, build peer networks, reconnect with their purpose, and develop collective intelligence for climate action.
Where does the residential retreat take place?
The residential retreat is held at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, United Kingdom, a location chosen for its natural environment and sustainable systems.
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