Even when moved by good intentions, many organisations' cultures, operational structures and governances are still echoing paradigms of over-extraction of people and resources.
The models, the practices, the frameworks used to define the way people work together, how an organisation innovates, how success is defined have not changed. And even organisations that are committed to ESG and see their limitations, find themselves experimenting and re-inventing themselves with limited guidance and examples.
The most sustainable and resilient way of living is in reciprocal relationship with the communities and ecosystems surrounding us.
Reciprocal relationships go beyond reducing harm; they centre respect, non-extraction, and shared thriving.
Many indigenous and traditional people have been keeping this truth alive on their territories for hundreds of years, against climate challenges, continuous colonial pressures and attempts on their lives and cultures.
How being in mutually beneficial relationships with people and planet shows up in concrete daily practices, team structures, and innovation strategies?
We support organisations that want to design teams and innovations in ways that honour the rights of all beings, with the guidance of indigenous voices.
Let's work together
Together with Indigenous and traditional researchers, consultants, designers, and guides, we design regenerative programs around organisational cultures, operations, governance structures and decision-making processes.
Tailored learning journeys and Interactive sessions that bring your team into direct conversation with Indigenous knowledge holders. Explore a specific question or theme, and access ancestral wisdom and practices that shift worldviews and open up new possibilities.
Then join our circles to reflect, deepen, and practice new approaches.
Why
Your organisation values equity and sustainability, but existing practices do not reflect this ambition.
You want your team to engage meaningfully with topics like colonisation, reciprocity, and Indigenous knowledge.
You want to inspire and discover more about Indigenous knowledge and how it can inspire more sustainable, relational strategies for your team and organisation.
How
Based on your team's needs, we co-design a tailored learning journey involving the most appropriate Indigenous or traditional guides.
The journey may include workshops, lectures, self-paces learning modules, co-creation circles and reflective practices.Example
We organised several online learning sessions co-hosted with our indigenous leaders partners, where we deconstructed the colonial heritage and the indigenous alternatives for a multitude of topics like: design, community building, cultural preservation, climate justice.
"We are here to act and hopefully create something that is beyond just learning but also related to reciprocity."
Princess Prudence Abumbi, Bafut community
A full co-understanding and co-design process of regenerative programs guided by Indigenous advisors, to reimagine organisational structures, innovation strategies, and team dynamics rooted in relationality and reciprocity. Participants are welcomed into our circles where approaches can be tested, supported, and sustained.
Why
You want to run a transformation or innovation process in your team and you want it to be respectful, regenerative, part of the systemic change you see necessary. You want to avoid business as usual practices, rooted in colonial mentality, that result in exploitation and erasure.
How
In collaboration with your team we understand and research the question at hand, looking at the hidden power forces that have been creating the current conditions.
We run workshops and engage people in meaningful conversation, and bring our indigenous leaders along, to inspire and co-design together a more regenerative future, including the necessary governance, processes and accountability mechanisms.
Example
We have been helping several organisations changing and evolving over the years. And we have worked with indigenous leaders who shared their unique perspectives about sustainability, community, design. We want to make space for these meaningful conversations in the process of innovation.
"The traditional and current generations seem to be living in different worlds, even though we all share one planet. My experience as a former chief, rich in history and
deep understanding of the land, has taught me the value of community and the importance of collective action."
Mzee Toby Malimba, Samia people
Co-desgning and establishing governance bodies and internal policies for decision making and accountability for ecological and just outcomes.
Co-developed with Indigenous and traditional experts, these frameworks foster long-term organisational integrity and responsibility.Why
You are working on an organisation or on a project that is rooted in relationality and you want to establish accountability and governance to make sure that all crucial decisions are taken prioritising climate and social impact.
How
Together with the team, we co-design the principles that the initiative have to uphold and assess the governance structures in place, including the metrics of success.
We then identify and invite the best indigenous leaders to join the governing body and together we establish the new governance, processes, metrics and responsibilities.
Example
While building Design Reparations, we regularly sought the advice of our Indigenous and traditional partners to ensure our initiatives were grounded in respect and reciprocity. Their perspectives, rooted in ancestral knowledge and relational cultures, shaped how we made decisions, structured our work, and defined our values.
This process inspired us to imagine how other organisations could benefit from similar structures, moving beyond performative advisory boards toward genuinely accountable governance bodies that include Indigenous and traditional voices from the start.
We can support organisations in exploring what meaningful accountability looks like in their specific context, whether through establishing advisory circles, shared decision-making structures, or relational governance practices. We help identify the right people to invite, co-design the process, and ensure that guidance is not only symbolic, but integrated into the organisation’s everyday work and long-term strategy.
