Beautiful Economies

IN REconomy

Beautiful Economies: how to liberate and harness our true wealth

A New Economy is on its way.

Around the world people are working together, sharing resources, questioning the prevailing paradigm and creating more sustainable systems. This intensive two day workshop is an opportunity to learn about these alternatives and discover what role you can play.

With the Human Scale Development framework developed by ‘barefoot’ economist Manfred Max-Neef as our starting point, we will ask where our true wealth lies and explore how we can draw on our existing strengths to create thriving local communities.

Through presentations, interactive exercises and group discussions we will explore:

  • Frameworks that integrate ecology, economics and wellbeing
  • How our current economic story gets in the way of effective action
  • The social and financial benefits of economic re-localisation
  • The impact of different money systems and how to ‘change the exchange’
  • The importance of the ‘invisible economy’
  • What you can do in your community right now!

Discover new ways to inspire community engagement, learn key concepts in new economic thinking, be inspired by a multitude of groundbreaking projects and gain tools to create positive lasting change.

“This workshop completely changed my perception of economics”:

Pam, Transition Powys.

Human Scale Development [HSD] – a one day exploration


In the 1980s, economist Manfred Max-Neef, together with two colleagues, developed a framework for economic development based on Fundamental Human Needs. This framework has been used around the world to help communities identify and achieve self-generated goals. Inez Aponte has been working with the Human Scale Development approach for the last 7 years, exploring its principles in workshops, consultation and organisational development.

In this one day workshop she will introduce the methodology she has developed and we will explore some of the following questions:

  • Can the language of Human Scale Development (HSD) be useful in reframing our concept of economic progress?
  • How might HSD help us in communicating environmental and social issues to bring about lasting behaviour change?
  • How might a ‘needs focussed’ approach provide a bridge between our inner worlds and the systems that make up our outer world?