Learning Network - August Lunchbox Session

Regen Labs: "How do we grow regenerative local economies rooted in justice, care, and place?”

Overview of the Session:  

Join ChangeFest and Regen Labs for a powerful Lunch & Learn session exploring how place-based system convenors are shaping a new economic story — one that centres people, Country, and community-led innovation. 

 Importantly we will share our collective experiences as systems convenors to learn how we can better connect across social and economic spheres to create regenerative and caring communities.    

The session will focus on WEAVE Regen Economy Systems Lab* - a place-based learning community on supporting regenerative economic systems, and invites us all to explore: 

• What is a regenerative economy? 

• How can local system convenors influence economic transition, particularly by working with local enterprises and partners? 

• How can we better connect social and economic activities and outcomes for regenerative places?   

• How do we communicate and sustain the value of systems convenors in our communities?    

Through stories from practice, reflections, and interactive group dialogue, we’ll surface insights and practical ideas from across the country. 

All are welcome. Register now and be part of the movement.   

About the presenters 

Dr Dimity Podger, Regen Labs 

 Dr Dimity Podger is Co-founder of Regen Labs, a strategic design and innovation lab on a mission to catalyse local inclusive, regenerative economies across regional Australia that create wellbeing for communities and the planet. The team does this through support for place-based regenerative enterprises, nurturing regeneration ecosystems in regional communities, and scaling the right finance.  

For Regen Labs, Dimity leads the design and delivery of the place-based Regen Economy Activator Program working closely with local partners and Traditional Custodians, is lead convenor for WEAVE Regen Economy Systems Lab, a 12 month place-based innovation collaboration learning community commissioned by Social Enterprise Australia for SEDI, is a core team member for the feasibility study of the Regen Community Investment Fund, supported by Paul Ramsay Foundation, and collaborated with Really Regenerative CIC on a global study commissioned by Joseph Rowntree Foundation to understand how philanthropy can more effectively catalyse Place-based Community-Led Regeneration. She also hosts the zesty Orchard Exchange, a peer learning space for regenerative enterprises from across Australia, and is a thought partner for regenerative enterprise leaders and backbone organisations.  

Her work builds on her role as Regenerative Communities portfolio lead with WWF-Australia’s Innovate to Regenerate program supporting regenerative action across 30 communities and local learning labs with 65+ regenerative enterprises, as well as her experience as a learning designer and facilitator for values-driven business. She lives and works on Dharawal Country, with her family. 

Liz Sanders, Co-Founder & Executive Officer, The Food Embassy  

The Food Embassy founded in 2016 is now SA’s leading enterprise with a mission to work with communities to reshape the local food system to be fairer and more regenerative.  

Liz is a strong ally to Indigenous food sovereignty and has worked closely with local First Nations throughout her work life and the Food Embassy works to a leading principle of First Nations First. 

In the past 2 years Liz has co created a role as a local food activator for the Hills and Fleurieu Local Food Futures project where she acts as a place based system convenor of change – building local food communities to connect economic and social outcomes to respond to the question “how do we organise ourselves for flourishing households and flourishing communities.” 

In this role Liz weaves the connections between the diversity and complexity of the local food system to build long term community food resilience and a deeper understanding for all of our interconnectedness. Liz lives and works on Kaurna country. 

*About WEAVE Regen Economy Systems Lab 

Regen Labs was commissioned to convene WEAVE by Social Enterprise Australia, as part of the Australian Government’s Social Enterprise Development Initiative to enhance impact and capability of the sector. You can learn more by visiting www.regenlabs.au/weave 

About the Learning Network

The ChangeFest Learning Network is a regular opportunity for all of us across the ChangeFest Movement to share practice and learn, to connect and build, and to take a deep breath and reflect. It will provide us all with the space to listen and hear from each other in ways that will help us in our own work for community-led system change – whether it be in communities, government, large for purpose organisations and businesses.

Lunch and Learn Sessions are usually held from 12.30 – 2pm (AEST) and are designed to be “easy for you to contribute, simple for us to hold, meaningful for us all to be part of.” Each event will be free and provide opportunity to explore practices and stories of community led change – and an opportunity to connect with each other across the ChangeFest Movement.