Skip to main content
Jan 16 2025
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Helsinki)

By

About the event:

Who is afraid of degrowth? The term alone throws mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe into a panic. Growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption. The EU has the potential to lead the ecological transition – but we need to envision a different European economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In Enough, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, it provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

At this book launch event, we will dive deeper into what this means in practice. How are principles of sufficiency and an “economy of enough” already reflected in local initiatives and policy proposals today? What are the levers of change, within and outside of political institutions? And how do we make sure that this vision of thriving beyond growth resonates and really does not leave anyone behind, especially at a time when socio-economic fears are framed directly in opposition to climate policy and a green transition?

Project background:

In early 2024, GEF released Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth. This publication sought to spotlight many of the ideas that the foundation has been exploring on post-growth and a just green and social deal, presenting them in an accessible and inspiring booklet. Now, we are taking it on a tour to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all with sufficiency.

Programme and speakers

Author Dirk Holemans will be joined in the panel by:

  • Tuuli Hirvilammi  – Senior Research Fellow in social policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University
  • Paavo Järvensivu – Associate Professor of Environmental and Social Policy (Docent), University of Helsinki

Moderated by Leena Brandt – Journalist

Practicalities

Date and Time: Monday 20 January 17:15-19:00 EET (18:15-20:00 Brussels time
– 17h15: arrival and refreshment
– 17h30: book presentaiton by Dirk
– 18h00: panel discussion around the book’s topics
– 18h45: Q&A
Location: Kaisa-talo, Kaisaniemenkatu 5, Helsinki, and online to this link
Language: English
Registration: Please register in advance via this link. This is a hybrid event, so you can also join us online. However, you must register in advance to receive the meeting link, or access the venue.

This book launch is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Visio and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Jan 10 2025
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Stockholm)

By

About the event:

Who is afraid of degrowth? The term alone throws mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe into a panic. Growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption. The EU has the potential to lead the ecological transition – but we need to envision a different European economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In Enough, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, it provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

At this book launch event, we will dive deeper into what this means in practice. How are principles of sufficiency and an “economy of enough” already reflected in local initiatives and policy proposals today? What are the levers of change, within and outside of political institutions? And how do we make sure that this vision of thriving beyond growth resonates and really does not leave anyone behind, especially at a time when socio-economic fears are framed directly in opposition to climate policy and a green transition?

Project background:

In early 2024, GEF released Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth. This publication sought to spotlight many of the ideas that the foundation has been exploring on post-growth and a just green and social deal, presenting them in an accessible and inspiring booklet. Now, we are taking it on a tour to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all with sufficiency.

Programme and speakers

Author Dirk Holemans will be joined in the panel by:

  • Rebecka Le Moine – member of the Swedish Parliament for the Green Party.
  • Åsa Callmer – PhD, sufficiency expert

Moderated by Isadora Wronski  – Project Leader Wellbeing Economy, Greenpeace International

Practicalities

Date and Time: Monday 20 January 18:30-20:30 CET
Free vegan soup, bread and coffee from 17:30 CET
Venue open for mingle from 16:30 and closes 21:30.
Location: Allaktivitetshuset, Sturegatan 10, next to Sundbyberg station, Stockholm, and online to this link
Language: English
Registration: Please register in advance via this link. This is a hybrid event, so you can also join us online. However, you must register in advance to receive the meeting link, or access the venue.

 

This book launch is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Cogito and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 03 2024
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Edinburgh / online)

By

About the event:

Who is afraid of degrowth? The term alone throws mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe into a panic. Growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption. Countries in the Global North have the potential and indeed the responsibility to lead this ecological transition – but we need to envision a different economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In Enough, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, it provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

At this book launch event, we will dive deeper into what this means in practice. What is the most helpful way of conceptualising a move beyond growth? How do ongoing initiatives, like the Wellbeing Economy, work towards meeting these objectives? What more can we do, both within and outside of political institutions? What role is there for transnational exchange and experimentation, in Scotland as well as the EU? And what do our current legislative configurations enable and prevent us from doing?

Project background:

In early 2024, GEF released Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth. This publication sought to spotlight many of the ideas that the foundation has been exploring on post-growth and a just green and social deal, presenting them in an accessible and inspiring booklet. Now, we are taking it on a tour to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all.

Speakers

  • Dirk Holemans – Honorary President of the Green European Foundation and author of “Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth”
  • Shona McIntosh – Scottish Greens Councillor for Musselburgh, East Lothian Council
  • More to be announced!

Moderated by Gabriel Sanson Gomez – Degrowth researcher at Generation Climate Europe, Scottish Young Greens

Practicalities

Date and Time: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 (18:15 – 20:00 GMT)
Location: St Ninians Room, Greyfriars Charteris Centre, 138-140 Pleasance, Edinburgh
Language: English
Registration: Please register via this link. This is a hybrid event, so you can also join us online via Zoom. However, you must register in advance to receive the meeting link.

 

This book launch is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Scottish Young Greens and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 03 2024
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Dublin)

By

About the event:

Who is afraid of degrowth? The term alone throws mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe into a panic. Growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption. The EU has the potential to lead the ecological transition – but we need to envision a different European economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In Enough, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, it provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

At this book launch event, we will dive deeper into what this means in practice. How are principles of sufficiency and an “economy of enough” already reflected in local initiatives and policy proposals today? What are the levers of change, within and outside of political institutions? And how do we make sure that this vision of thriving beyond growth resonates and really does not leave anyone behind, especially at a time when socio-economic fears are framed directly in opposition to climate policy and a green transition?

Project background:

In early 2024, GEF released Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth. This publication sought to spotlight many of the ideas that the foundation has been exploring on post-growth and a just green and social deal, presenting them in an accessible and inspiring booklet. Now, we are taking it on a tour to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all.

Programme and speakers

Author Dirk Holemans will be joined by a selection of experts, from politicians to academics to civil society and local changemakers:

  • Anne B. Ryan – coordinator of Basic Income Ireland and author of “Enough is Plenty: Public and Private Values for the 21st Century”
  • David Donoghue – Distinguished Fellow of ODI, former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN in New York, co-facilitator of the intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • Janet Horner – Green Party representative for the North-Inner City on Dublin City Council

Moderated by John Gormley (Green Foundation Ireland).

Snacks and networking drinks will be provided.

Practicalities

Date and Time: Sunday, 8 December 2024 (18:00 – 20:00)
Location: Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square W, Rotunda, Dublin, Ireland
Language: English
Registration: Please register in advance via this link.

 

This book launch is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green Foundation Ireland and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Nov 26 2024
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Belfast)

By

About the event:

Who is afraid of degrowth? The term alone throws mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe into a panic. Growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and exacerbates inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while addressing greed and overconsumption. Europe has the potential to lead the ecological transition – but we need to envision a different economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

In Enough, the authors build on the work of visionaries, both past and present, recognising that Earth is on loan to us from future generations. They explore how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. The essay presents a compelling vision: fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, it provides the keys to imagining a different Europe – one that ensures a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits.

At this roundtable, we will discuss some of the key themes and proposals put forward by the book and the post-growth community more broadly. As Europe is once again eyeing austerity and conservative and even far-right forces have captured key levels of government and institutions, what pathways remain for this crucial transition? How can we mobilize societies for such deep and rapid change? What are the key levers and obstacles to translating the environmental science around the limits to growth into concrete action?

Project background:

In early 2024, GEF released Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth. This publication sought to spotlight many of the ideas that the foundation has been exploring on post-growth and a just green and social deal, presenting them in an accessible and inspiring booklet. Now, we are taking it on a tour to spark conversations across the continent on how Europe can reconcile social and ecological justice in a wellbeing project for all.

Programme and speakers

This interactive roundtable will provide plenty of space for audience input, questions, and reactions. They will be accompanied by invited experts:

  • Dirk Holemans – Honorary President of the Green European Foundation and author of “Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth”
  • Dr. Amanda Slevin – Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queens University Belfast
  • Prof. John Barry – Professor of Green Political Economy at Queens University Belfast and co-chair of the Belfast Climate Commission

Practicalities

Date and Time: Monday, December 9th (19:00 – 21:00 GMT)
Location: Peter Frogatt Centre, Room 02/018, Queen’s University Belfast, 7-9 College Park East, Belfast
Language: English
Registration: Please register in advance via this link.

 

This roundtable is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green Foundation Ireland and QUB’s Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

May 22 2024
Love0

Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth (Brussels)

By

About the event 

The term “degrowth” often causes panic among mainstream opinion makers and many economists in Europe. Economic growth is the lubricant of capitalism. We are told that if the economy is growing, all is well. But what do we mean by growth? Should everything keep growing endlessly? The ecological crisis shows that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Meanwhile, the current economic system fails to secure livelihoods and deepens inequalities. There is an alternative to this self-destructive system: an economy of enough, which would provide for everyone’s basic needs while tackling greed and overconsumption.

The EU has the potential to lead the ecological transition. Although the Green Deal was a significant step forward, it remains locked within a growth-addicted economy with a core principle of competition in a single market, and it does not sufficiently address social inequality. We need to imagine a different European economy, rooted in a new paradigm, before we can build it.

This is why the Green European Foundation is launching “Enough: Thriving Societies Beyond Growth”. Written by Dirk Holemans, Lara Ferrante, and Elze Vermaas, this essay explores how societies can thrive without depending on economic growth. It presents a compelling vision of fewer private jets, less inequality, fewer burnouts, and reduced waste, alongside more quality of life, more time for each other, more sustainable products, and a healthier planet. In other words, a good life for everyone within the planet’s limits. This essay gives us the keys to imagine a different Europe.

During this event, we will be joined by the authors of the book to delve into its intricacies and explore ideas for achieving true well-being in a society beyond growth.

This book launch is part of GEF’s focus on the Green Deal for All. It builds on research and events in 2023 that sought to explore how we can strengthen the social dimension of the EGD and what novel ideas and policy proposals can help us look even further, to future-proof ideas for thriving societies within planetary boundaries.  

 

Speakers
 

  • Ben Eersels – Executive Director at G1000
  • Sibo Rugwiza Kanobana – lecturer in sociolinguistics and postcolonial studies at Ghent University & author of Witte Orde
  • Martine Delsemme – co-operator of Brussels based co-operative supermarket Bees Coop
  • Rebekka Eschauzier – climate activist extinction rebellion
  • Lara Ferrante – Enough co-author
  • Elze Vermaas – Enough co-author

Moderated by Dirk Holemans (Oikos, Enough co-author)

 

Programme

19h30: Doors open 

20h-21h30: Start of the event, presentation and discussion around the book 

21h30: Networking drinks 

 

Practicalities

Date and Time: 21 June 2024, 20h-21h30 (doors open at 19h30, bar opens at 21h30)

Location: De Buren, Leopoldstraat 6, 1000 Brussels

Language:  English

Registration: This event is free and open to all, but please register in advance here to help us keep track of expected participant numbers.

 

This book launch is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Oikos and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

 

 

Dec 20 2023
Love0

Climate Law Developments in Turkey

By

About the event

With this event, we aim to talk about climate law in Türkiye and developments in the border carbon boarder adjustment mechanism. We will discuss the impact of the current carbon regulation policies, as well as the climate law with NGO’s, public institutions and local municipalities, academics and trade unions.

Project background

This is the event as part of our 2023 Transnational Project: A Just Green Deal. The project aim is to have a balanced but critical view on the Green Deal in a concise way, that allows to be precise in public debates on the Green Deal. The second level explores, from a more radical perspective the question if the current Green Deal is the sufficient answer to make the EU futureproof amidst the multiple crises.

Speakers

Yağız Eren Abanus, MAD – Center for Spatial Justice

Sercan Köksal, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Department of Economics

Özlem Teke, Greens of Turkey, Co-speaker

Nuray Şahin, Ankara University, Department of Labor Economics

Programme

14.00 – 14.05 Opening

14.05 – 14.45 Keynote Speeches of Speakers

Climate Law

Yağız Eren Abanus, MAD – Center for Spatial Justice

Climate Laws in Europe, Implementation, and Examples of Border Carbon Adjustments From Europe

Sercan Köksal, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Department of Economics

The European Greens’ Views and Demands on The Just Transition Applications

Özlem Teke, Greens of Turkey, Co-speaker

Reflections of the Carbon Tax on Gender Based Inequality

Nuray Şahin, Ankara University, Department of Labor Economics

14.45 – 15.00 Break

15.00 – 15.20 Compilation of possible opportunities

15.20 – 15.40 Compilation of possible crisis and problems

15.40 – 15.55  Solution suggestions

15.55 – 16.00 Closure

Practicalities

Date and Time: 28th December, 2023 – 14.00-16.00 (Istanbul Time, GMT+3)

Location: Zoom

Language:  Turkish

Registration: Please note that registrations are now closed

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Green Thought Association and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 20 2023
Love0

Climate Law and Developments in Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism

By

About the event

With this event, we aim to tackle climate law in Türkiye and recent developments in the border carbon adjustment mechanism. We will discuss the impact of the current carbon regulation policies, as well as the climate law with NGO’s, public institutions and local municipalities, academics,  and trade unions.

Project background

This is the event as part of our 2023 Transnational Project: A Just Green Deal. The project aim is to have a balanced but critical view on the Green Deal in a concise way, that allows to be precise in public debates on the Green Deal. The second level explores, from a more radical perspective the question if the current Green Deal is the sufficient answer to make the EU futureproof amidst the multiple crises.

Speakers

Yağız Eren Abanus, MAD – Center for Spatial Justice

Sercan Köksal, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Department of Economics

Özlem Teke, Greens of Turkey, Co-speaker

Nuray Şahin, Ankara University, Department of Labor Economics

Programme

14.00 – 14.05 Opening

14.05 – 14.45 Keynote Speeches of Speakers

Climate Law

Yağız Eren Abanus, MAD – Center for Spatial Justice

Climate Laws in Europe, Implementation, and Examples of Border Carbon Adjustments From Europe

Sercan Köksal, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Department of Economics

The European Greens’ Views and Demands on The Just Transition Applications

Özlem Teke, Greens of Turkey, Co-speaker

Reflections of the Carbon Tax on Gender Based Inequality

Nuray Şahin, Ankara University, Department of Labor Economics

14.45 – 15.00 Break

15.00 – 15.20 Compilation of possible opportunities

15.20 – 15.40 Compilation of possible crisis and problems

15.40 – 15.55 Discussing Solutions

15.55 – 16.00 Closure

Practicalities

Date and Time: 28th December, 2023 – 14.00-16.00 (Istanbul Time, GMT+3)

Location: Zoom

Language:  Turkish

Registration: Please note this is a closed event.

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Green Thought Association and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 18 2023
Love0

Social Justice and the European Green Deal

By

About the event

With just a few months to go before the end of president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen’s first term in office, it’s time to look ahead to the next phase of the Green Deal. Against a backdrop of rising energy prices, growing social inequalities and the risk of an anti-Green Deal backlash, we need to take stock of the social justice issues at stake in the context of the Green Deal. 5 years after the Gilets Jaunes movement, the Green European foundation, in partnership with the Fondation de l’écologie politique, is bringing together key players from French environmental civil society to discuss these issues, from a European perspective.

 

Project background

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s project A Just Green deal and Beyond. The first focus of this project is based on proposals of the green family to integrate ambitiously the social dimension, so to work on a ‘Just Green Deal’. The second level will ‘Go Beyond’ the Green Deal and mobilize future-oriented concepts such as Sustainable Welfare, related to an Ecological Welfare State and the operational concept of Universal Public Services.

 

Programme

9:25am: Introductory remarks by Kévin Puisieux, Director of the Fondation de l’Écologie Politiqu

9:30am-10:15am Round table 1: Social justice in the transition. 5 years after the Gilets Jaunes, what’s at stake?

  • Amandine Lebreton, Director, Pacte du pouvoir de vivre
  • Solange Martin, sociologist at ADEME

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Round table 2: Social justice in the European Green Deal: from the social fund to ETS 2, the challenges of the next five years in Brussels

  • Neil Makaroff, co-director of Strategic Perspectives
  • Thomas Pellerin Carlin, Program Director – European Climate Investments, Cleantech at I4CE (Institute for climate economics)

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Round table 3: Looking ahead to 2035, how can we achieve a just transition regarding cars?

  • Marie Chéron, Vehicle Policy Manager, Transport & Environnement France
  • Kévin Puisieux, Director, Fondation de l’Écologie Politique

12:30 pm: Concluding remarks by Dirk Holemans, Director of Oïkos, Flemish-Belgian environmental foundation, co-president of the Green European Foundation.

 

Practicalities

Date and Time: 20th of December, 9:30 to 12:30

Location: Atelier Beaubourg, 7 Rue Geoffroy l’Angevin, 75004 Paris, France

Language:  French

Registration: Please register here

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Fondation de l’écologie politique and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 13 2023
Love0

Just Transition Sore Points

By

About the event

What should justness mean in the context of the green transition? How could it be measured and guaranteed? What are the most troublesome questions to solve if we zoom into the Finnish context? Does the definition of justness differ between urban and rural areas?

In this online event, researcher Teea Kortetmäki will discuss this topic with Lukas Korpelainen from the Green Think Tank Visio. The discussion is open to participants to contribute their points of view for Kortetmäki to take home to the academic research projects like 2035Legitimacy.

 

Project background

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s project A Just Green deal and Beyond. The first focus of this project is based on proposals of the green family to integrate ambitiously the social dimension, so to work on a ‘Just Green Deal’. The second level will ‘Go Beyond’ the Green Deal and mobilize future-oriented concepts such as Sustainable Welfare, related to an Ecological Welfare State and the operational concept of Universal Public Services.

 

Practicalities

Date and Time: 20th December, 4-5pm EET

Location: Online

Language:  Main language is Finnish

Registration: No registration, the event link will be provided in due time on our website.

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Green Think Tank Visio and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Dec 02 2023
Love0

Green deal and Beyond II (Skopje)

By

About the event:

In the face of multiple crises – geopolitical, climate and energy, but also the very erosion of Europe’s social fabric by its outdated economic model – what should the Greens bring to the table to ensure that the European Green Deal (EGD) switches to the next gear into a social EGD or EGD 2.0? This session will bring together voices and expertise from politics and civil society to lay bare the flaws and limitations of the current Green Deal and propose the pathways we need to explore to make a Green Deal worthy of its name.

The Green Deal is a comprehensive progressive plan to combat the climate disaster while eliminating socio-economic inequalities in the country. The plan is a strategic framework for collective action towards transforming the functioning of the economic and energy system by creating thousands of low-carbon jobs for a better life for all living beings in harmony with nature. The same principles that will apply to EU member states by European Green Deal are mirrored in the region by the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

In the Green Agenda document regarding the circular economy, the countries of the Western Balkans will strive to contribute to the protection of the environment and the minimization of the amount of waste generated in the region, while with a large set of activities to be committed to the depollution of the air, water and soil.

In proposing this project as a transnational project, we see a huge importance not only in empowering citizens to engage with topics of our interest (climate, energy, water, biodiversity, health), but also in strengthening linkages between the Greens across Europe and engaged citizens, with the purpose of making them more relevant, inclusive and connected with social groups and movements.

Guests and experts from academic and practical backgrounds will share their expertise with the participants and enable an exchange of ideas and concepts.

On this event we will discuss with experts, institutions, NGOs and activists on the perspectives of the Green Agenda for the WB.

 

Project background

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s project Green deal and Beyond. The first focus of this project is based on proposals of the green family to integrate ambitiously the social dimension, so to work on a ‘Just Green Deal’. The second level will ‘Go Beyond’ the Green Deal and mobilize future-oriented concepts such as Sustainable Welfare, related to an Ecological Welfare State and the operational concept of Universal Public Services.

 

Speakers

  • Ewa Sufin Jaquemart, Strefa Zieleni, Poland and Board member of GEF
  • Vanja Djinlev, Scientific assistant and researcher, Transdisciplinary Lab (TdLab), ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • Zekija Memedova Hristova – speaker and researcher – Association SUNRISE

 

Programme

10:00-12:00 Introduction to GEF projects and research – Ewa Sufin Jaquemart, Strefa Zieleni, Poland and Board member of GEF

10:00-12:00 Green European Deal and Transition of the Energy Sector – Vanja Djinlev, Scientific assistant and researcher, Transdisciplinary Lab (TdLab), ETH Zurich, Switzerland

12:00-12:30 Coffee Break

12:30-13:30 European Green Deal and Energy Democracy – Zekija Memedova Hristova

13:30-14:00 Summarizing and conclusions

14:00-15:00 Lunch and departure

Working language: Macedonian, English

 

Practicalities

Date and Time: 3rd December, 10am-15:00pm CET

Location: Skopje

Language:  The main language of the event will be Macedonian

Please note this is a closed-doors event.

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Nov 02 2023
Love0

Green deal and Beyond (Skopje)

By

About

The European Green Deal (EGD) is a comprehensive plan to combat the climate crisis while eliminating socio-economic inequalities. This package of policy initiatives aims to transform our economic and energy system through collective action.

The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans reflects the same principles as the EGD for EU member states: In line with the EGD measures, Western Balkans countries will work towards environmental protection, waste reduction, and the decontamination of air, water, and soil.  In this event, we will discuss with experts, NGOs and activists the perspectives of the development of the Green Agenda in the Western Balkans.

 

Project background

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s project Green deal and Beyond. The first focus of this project is based on proposals of the green family to integrate ambitiously the social dimension, so to work on a ‘Just Green Deal’. The second level will ‘Go Beyond’ the Green Deal and mobilize future-oriented concepts such as Sustainable Welfare, related to an Ecological Welfare State and the operational concept of Universal Public Services.

 

Agenda

12.00 – 12.30 Welcome coffee and registration
12.30– 15.00 Roundtable discussion on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the European Green Deal
15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break
15.30 – 17.30 Conclusions and recommendations from the participants followed by individual speeches
17.30 – 18.00 Break
18.00 Dinner and discussion

moderated by Hristijan Stanoevikj, ASSED Sunrise

Practicalities

Date and Time: 11th November, 12pm- 19pm CET

Location: Skopje

Language:  The main language of the event will be Macedonian

Please note this roundtable is a closed event.

 

This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of Sunrise and with the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Oct 30 2023
Love0

Deep Transformations: A Theory Of Degrowth (Leuven)

By

About the event

Professor Max Koch (Lund University) presents a new book co-written with Hubert Buch-Hansen and Lana Nesterova. The lecturer introduces the theoretical framework of the book, zooms in on the role of the (welfare) state in degrowth transformations and presents empirical research results about these processes and corresponding eco-social policies.

Project background

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s A Just Green Deal for All transnational project. The project aims to provide ideas on how to pave the way for a Green New Deal that is based on a fair and just society and does not leave anyone behind.

Speakers

  • Wim Van Lancker (KU Leuven)
  • Max Koch (University of Lund)
  • Dirk Holemans (Oikos Think Tank)
  • Bianca Luna Fabris (European Trade Union Institute for Research)

Practicalities

Date and Time: 23rd November, 7pm-9pm

Location:KU Leuven, Faculty of Social Sciences, Parkstraat 45, 3000 Leuven, 00.113 – Ruth Benedictzaal

Language:  The main languages of the event will be Dutch and English.

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Oikos and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Oct 09 2023
Love0

Citizen Assemblies in Belgium (Brussels)

By

 

About the Event

In the event, speakers from the different language communities of Belgium share their experiences of citizen assemblies as a democratic and participative form of decision making. The discussion will evolve around the permanent climate citizen assembly of Brussels, the citizen assembly of the German community and innovative democratic models in the French-speaking Parliament of Brussels.

 

Practicalities

Date and time: 18th October 1:45PM – 5PM

Location: Mundo Madou building, Avenue des Arts 7/8, 1210 Bruxelles

Please note this is an invite only event.

 

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with  the support of Oikos Think Tank and the financial support of the European parliament to the Green European Foundation.

 

Aug 22 2023
Love0

Meet the Thinker: Helen Thompson (Brussels)

By

About the event

If fossil fuels have always been a matter of international struggle, the transition to renewable energy will be no different. Energy will continue to define geopolitics. In this talk Helen Thompson explains how the energy transition to renewables can be described as revolutionary. Over a period of 30 years, we will redraw the entire energy base of modern civilisation. Renewable energy sources require a lot of metals, which are readily available in some parts of the world, such as China. This brings with it new relationships and dynamics in world politics that will affect us all. 

Context

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s A Just Green Deal And Beyond project. The project looks into the social dimension of the European Green Deal (EGD) and what needs to be done so that social measures are embedded in Green Deal policies. So far, it rests on a ‘compensation logic’ while we urgently need a holistic approach that integrates the social rights from the beginning. The energy transition is a crucial aspect in the EGD and will bring with it new relationships in world politics. If we don’t take into account social justice, it will affect vulnerable groups the most. We need more geopolitical insight about the energy transition to be able to make it socially just. 

Speakers

Helen Thompson, British professor of Political Economy and author of the influential book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century.
 

Practicalities

Date and Time: 7th September, 19:30-21:00 

Location: Bozar, Brussels  

Language: English   

Registration: Get your ticket here

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Oikos and in collaboration with Bozar. It is organised with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

Jun 01 2023
Love0

Beware Europe’s New Green Colonialism (Brussels)

By

About the event

A delegation of Global South scholars and activists are launching a lobbying and advocacy tour of European capitals to discuss the urgent issue of an eco-social energy transition. The seven participants are following up on a global manifesto published this year decrying a new Green colonialism and urging more equitable approaches to achieving a fossil-free future.

The mission of the event is to inject Global South perspectives into current European policy discussions around energy and the environment. Decisions made by European policy makers do not only affect Europe, but also the broader world, climate change knows no borders and neither do emissions caused by industry based in Europe.

Project background:

This event is part of the Green European Foundation’s A Just Green Deal for All transnational project. The project aims to provide ideas on how to pave the way for a Green New Deal that is based on a fair and just society and does not leave anyone behind.

Speakers

  • Breno Bringel, Brazilian-Spanish activist-scholar,
  • Madhuresh Kumar,  Indian activist-researcher,
  • Vasna Ramasar  South African-Swedish scholar-activist,
  • Maristella Svampa, Argentine sociologist and philosopher.

Practicalities:

Date and Time: 31st May 2023, 11:30-13:00

Location: Rue des Tanneurs 169, Brussels

Language:  The main languages of the event will be English.

Registration: Closed event

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Oikos and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this event.