The Birth of the International Degrowth Network

On August 29, 2023, nearly 100 passionate advocates, academics, and practitioners gathered in Zagreb, Croatia, to envision a more sustainable future. Building on the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference, the 4th Assembly focused on enhancing transparency, collaboration, and democratic decision-making within the movement. The Organising the Degrowth Network (ODN) led this effort, with their proposal now adopted by the Assembly. The IDN, comprising over 25 founding organizations, is a dynamic force dedicated to catalysing radical transformation. It encompasses various Working Group Circles (WGCs) and welcomes individuals and organizations that share its vision of a just and sustainable world. 

The Birth of the International Degrowth Network

Released on 29/08/2023

The Degrowth Movement, which advocates for a radical transformation of society and consumption patterns for the sake of life, well-being and autonomy, met in a hybrid format for the fourth time on August 28th 2023, before the International Degrowth Conference of Zagreb, Croatia.

The 4th Assembly comes just months after the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference, which brought together over 1,000 people from 60 countries to the European Parliament to discuss how to move
beyond the current economic model, which is based on endless growth.

Nearly 100 degrowth activists, academics, practitioners and artists came from around the world to discuss the future of the movement, its structure and its transparency, in order to enable better collaboration throughout the network and better democratic decision-making. The open collective
Organising the Degrowth Network (ODN) has spent the last year working on an improved structure for the Degrowth Network. Its proposal was adopted by the Assembly, and dedicated circles were created to improve it within the next year.

The International Degrowth Network (IDN) has now officially launched, with over 25 organizations and groups as its founding members. The IDN is a sociocratic body in constant evolution, striving to catalyze a radical transformation around the world. Several Working Group Circles (WGCs) have been established, covering a range of topics such as activism and practice, research, communication, organization, and events.

The IDN is open to new member organizations and individuals who share its vision of a more sustainable and just future.

For more information, please contact: odn.collective.contact[at]gmail.com.

The open collection Organizing Degrowth Network Access the full proposal here.

4th Assembly Programme here.

More on the ODN process here.