The Gathering
Practical insights from 1 re:build session on implementing the gathering in regenerative villages.
Overview
The Gathering is an annual event and initiative that unites various organizations, communities, and movements dedicated to systemic change and the creation of a better future. It serves as a festival, conference, and fair, acting as a catalyst for building ecosystems of collaboration. The Gathering brings together companies, communities, villages, tribes, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to foster connections and collaborative actions toward regenerative futures.
The Gathering emphasizes the importance of human ecosystems coming together to build connections, relationships, and collaborations. It invites participants to connect for action, uniting movements working towards a better future through regenerative practices, ecological restoration, and social transformation.
Definition
The Gathering is a unique annual convergence that blends elements of conferences, festivals, and conscious gatherings. It creates a co-creative environment where 500 participants and over 50 organizations come together to engage in workshops, discussions, and activities that promote ecological and social regeneration. The event takes place in a natural setting—a 22-acre forest estate near Ponte de Lima, Portugal—providing an immersive environment conducive to creativity and deep connection with the biosphere.
Key Principles
Ecosystem building: The Gathering serves as a catalyst for building ecosystems of collaboration by uniting diverse organizations and movements, creating spaces for connection and relationship building, and fostering collaborative actions toward common goals.
Systemic change focus: The event emphasizes a broad vision of regeneration, encompassing systemic change across ecological regeneration, social transformation, economic innovation, governance evolution, and cultural renewal.
Co-creation: Participants actively contribute to shaping the event experience, ensuring diverse perspectives and community-driven content. Attendees can propose workshops and sessions, creating a truly collaborative environment.
Connection for action: The Gathering invites participants to connect for action, uniting movements working towards a better future rather than just networking or information sharing.
Methods and Approaches
Event Format
The Gathering combines multiple event formats:
Conference Elements:
- Workshops and educational sessions
- Panel discussions
- Presentations and talks
- Knowledge sharing
Festival Elements:
- Celebration and community building
- Arts and culture
- Music and performance
- Social connection
Fair Elements:
- Marketplace of ideas and solutions
- Exhibition of projects and initiatives
- Networking opportunities
- Resource sharing
Participant Contribution
The Gathering encourages participant contribution to the program:
- Attendees can propose workshops and sessions
- Co-creation of the experience
- Diverse perspectives and approaches
- Community-driven content
Venue and Setting
Upcoming Events 2026:
- Czechia - June 2026: Join us in Czechia for a gathering of regenerative communities, villages, and DAOs. Connect with Central European regenerative movements and explore collaborative opportunities.
- USA - September 2026: Connect with regenerative communities across North America in this collaborative gathering. Experience diverse approaches to regenerative village building and community development.
- Mexico - October 2026: Experience regenerative collaboration in Mexico with communities, villages, and DAOs. Explore Latin American perspectives on regenerative living and systemic change.
- Portugal - September 2026: The annual Gathering in Portugal uniting 500+ participants and 50+ organizations for systemic change. This flagship event takes place in a natural setting—a 22-acre forest estate near Ponte de Lima—providing an immersive environment conducive to creativity and deep connection with the biosphere. Amenities include community kitchens, camping facilities, and organic food vendors.
Previous Events:
- 2024 Event: September 11–15, 2024, near Porto, Portugal at a 22-acre forest estate near Ponte de Lima
Benefits
Building Networks
The Gathering creates lasting networks of:
- Regenerative communities
- Collaborative organizations
- Supportive relationships
- Resource sharing
- Mutual aid
Catalyzing Action
The event catalyzes:
- New collaborations
- Project partnerships
- Knowledge transfer
- Resource mobilization
- Collective action
Fostering Innovation
The Gathering fosters innovation in:
- Regenerative practices
- Community models
- Governance structures
- Economic systems
- Social transformation
Strengthening Movement
The Gathering strengthens the broader movement toward:
- Regenerative futures
- Ecological restoration
- Social justice
- Economic transformation
- Cultural renewal
Key Insights
Diverse Participation
The Gathering brings together:
- Companies: Businesses committed to regenerative practices
- Communities: Intentional communities and ecovillages
- Villages: Regenerative village projects
- Tribes: Cultural and social groups
- DAOs: Decentralized autonomous organizations
- Organizations: NGOs, networks, and initiatives
Scale and Impact
- 500 participants: Creating meaningful connections at scale
- 50+ organizations: Representing diverse perspectives and approaches
- Co-creative environment: Participants shape the experience
- Diverse and immersive: Blending learning, celebration, and collaboration
Connection to Regenerative Villages
The Gathering is particularly relevant for regenerative villages because:
- Villages can share best practices and lessons learned
- Village builders can form partnerships and collaborations
- Villages can learn from each other's governance and economic models
- Village networks can strengthen and expand
- Villages can access resources and support
Relationship to DAOs and Digital Tools
The Gathering includes:
- DAO representatives and blockchain-based communities
- Tokenized projects and decentralized governance models
- Web3 initiatives exploring new economic and governance structures
- Digital tools for communities and resource coordination
Examples and Case Studies
Annual Gathering Structure
The Gathering events demonstrate a comprehensive approach:
- Multi-day immersive experiences: Typically 4-5 days of deep engagement
- Natural settings: Venues chosen for their connection to nature and biosphere
- Community infrastructure: Shared kitchens, camping, organic food
- Participant-driven program: Co-created content and workshops
Ecosystem Building
The Gathering demonstrates how to:
- Unite diverse organizations and movements
- Create spaces for meaningful connection
- Foster collaborative actions
- Build networks of regenerative communities
- Catalyze ongoing partnerships
Knowledge Sharing
The event facilitates:
- Best practice exchange between villages
- Governance model discussions
- Economic innovation sharing
- Technical knowledge transfer
- Cultural and social learning
Best Practices
For Attendees
- Come prepared to contribute: Propose workshops or sessions
- Engage actively: Participate in discussions and activities
- Build relationships: Focus on meaningful connections
- Share knowledge: Contribute your experiences and learnings
- Follow up: Maintain connections after the event
For Communities
- Send representatives: Have community members attend
- Share your story: Present your village or project
- Learn from others: Absorb best practices and innovations
- Form partnerships: Build collaborations with other communities
- Stay connected: Maintain relationships in the network
For Organizers
- Create co-creative spaces: Enable participant contribution
- Blend formats: Combine conference, festival, and fair elements
- Natural settings: Choose venues that support deep connection
- Diverse participation: Invite varied organizations and movements
- Follow-up support: Maintain networks after the event
Implementation Guide
Attending The Gathering
The Gathering hosts multiple events in 2026:
1. Choose your event: Select from upcoming gatherings in Czechia (June), USA (September), Mexico (October), or Portugal (September)
2. Visit the website: Check the-gathering.earth for detailed event information and registration
3. Register early: Secure your spot for your chosen gathering
4. Propose content: Consider offering a workshop or session
5. Prepare to engage: Come ready to learn, share, and connect
6. Plan follow-up: Think about how to maintain connections after the event
Organizing Similar Events
1. Define purpose: Clarify what ecosystem you're building
2. Choose format: Blend conference, festival, and fair elements
3. Select venue: Natural settings support deeper connection
4. Invite diversity: Include varied organizations and movements
5. Enable co-creation: Let participants shape the experience
6. Maintain networks: Support ongoing collaboration
Leveraging The Gathering
For regenerative villages:
1. Send team members: Have representatives attend
2. Share your work: Present your village or project
3. Learn from peers: Absorb best practices
4. Form partnerships: Build collaborations
5. Access resources: Connect with support organizations
6. Strengthen networks: Build lasting relationships
Upcoming Events
The Gathering hosts multiple events throughout 2026 in different locations:
Czechia - June 2026
Join us in Czechia for a gathering of regenerative communities, villages, and DAOs. Connect with Central European regenerative movements and explore collaborative opportunities in the heart of Europe.
USA - September 2026
Connect with regenerative communities across North America in this collaborative gathering. Experience diverse approaches to regenerative village building and community development, bringing together practitioners from across the continent.
Mexico - October 2026
Experience regenerative collaboration in Mexico with communities, villages, and DAOs. Explore Latin American perspectives on regenerative living and systemic change, connecting with the vibrant regenerative movement in the region.
Portugal - September 2026
The annual flagship Gathering in Portugal uniting 500+ participants and 50+ organizations for systemic change. This event takes place in a natural setting—a 22-acre forest estate near Ponte de Lima—providing an immersive environment conducive to creativity and deep connection with the biosphere. Amenities include community kitchens, camping facilities, and organic food vendors.
For the latest information and registration, visit the-gathering.earth.
Key Themes and Focus Areas
Regenerative Practices
- Ecological restoration
- Sustainable living
- Permaculture and regenerative agriculture
- Natural building
- Renewable energy
Community Building
- Intentional communities
- Ecovillages
- Regenerative villages
- Collaborative living
- Social innovation
Decentralized Governance
- DAO structures
- Community governance models
- Participatory decision-making
- Transparent processes
- Distributed power
Economic Innovation
- Regenerative economics
- Alternative currencies
- Token systems
- Commons-based models
- Sustainable business practices
Systemic Transformation
- Paradigm shifts
- Cultural change
- Social innovation
- Ecological consciousness
- Holistic approaches
Activities and Experiences
Workshops and Learning
- Educational workshops on regenerative practices
- Skill-sharing sessions
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Knowledge exchange
- Practical applications
Discussions and Dialogues
- Panel discussions on key topics
- Open space conversations
- Community dialogues
- Strategic planning sessions
- Visioning exercises
Connection and Networking
- Building relationships between communities
- Creating partnerships
- Forming collaborations
- Sharing resources
- Building networks
Celebration and Culture
- Arts and performance
- Music and celebration
- Cultural exchange
- Community rituals
- Joy and connection
External Resources
For more information about The Gathering, see:
- The Gathering Website - Official website with event information and registration
- Community Events - Guide to organizing community events
- DAO Governance & Digital Tools - Digital tools for community coordination
Key Concepts
Ecosystem Building
Creating interconnected networks of organizations, communities, and movements that support each other and work toward common regenerative goals.
Co-Creation
Participants actively contribute to shaping the event experience, ensuring diverse perspectives and community-driven content.
Regenerative Collaboration
Working together in ways that restore and enhance both ecological and social systems, creating positive outcomes for all involved.
Systemic Change
Transformation that addresses root causes and creates fundamental shifts in how systems operate, rather than surface-level fixes.
Movement Building
Creating and strengthening networks of people and organizations working toward regenerative futures, building collective power and impact.
Real-World Examples
These partners are actively implementing the gathering in their projects:
Selgars Mill
Selgars Mill is a private hire venue located in the Culm Valley of Mid Devon in the South West of England.
Tentourage
Tentourage is a Franco-Italian company specializing in rental and sale of tensile structures, Bedouin stretch tents, and bell tents for events across Europe.