Turning passion into
long-lasting changes

A regenerative economy is one that is circular and restorative, rather than linear and extractive. A regenerative economy works to protect and steward the global commons, rather than undermining it. A regenerative economy is one that exists safely within all planetary boundaries, while meeting the minimum social foundations necessary for human beings to flourish. 

A regenerative economy recognizes that markets are a powerful tool when embedded within broader social and natural systems, and that there are limits to what markets can achieve. Regeneration entails reinvesting in public solutions to public problems, with a commitment to democratic systems that are accountable, transparent, and serve the public good. Regeneration means reinvesting in communities by building community wealth and fostering economic democracy. 

The regenerative economy must be:

• Distributive, by creating prosperity for all, not simply a small minority;
• Pluralist, by recognizing that there is no single solution;
• Just, by empowering all perspectives and voices, particularly non-Western voices; 
• Relational, by acknowledging that everything is connected, that we are more than the sum of our parts. 

Our successful ‘Our Future, Our Business’ Manifesto campaign received the support of 65 youth organizations, 130 high-level executives, and 100 civil society organizations recognizing the need for reform in business education on sustainability. We are Canada’s largest youth-run organization dedicated to advancing regenerative and sustainable business practices by amplifying youth perspectives and providing youth (18-30 years old) with skills-building and career resources.

We are a team of ten paid staff members and 20 steering committee volunteers focused on compelling private sector actors to adopt more ambitious, purpose-driven goals and empowering youth to demand greater action from their schools and employers. Our team comprises students and young professionals from diverse personal, educational, and professional backgrounds.

We are deeply indebted to the work of ecological economists such as Juan Martinez-Alier and Jason Hickel, political economists such as Karl Polanyi, Mariana Mazzucato, and Robert Reich, systems thinkers such as Fritjof Capra and Donella Meadows, and other trailblazers from heterodox traditions emphasizing the need to move away from extractive neoliberal capitalism. We are indebted to the environmental justice movement and post-extractive activists who have taught us that sustainability and social justice must go hand in hand. We are influenced by the Democracy Collaborative, the Next System Project, the New Economy Coalition, the Institute for New Economic Thinking, the Schumacher Centre, and all others working towards a fairer, more democratic economic system. Above all, we are inspired by the voices of Robin Wall Kimmerer, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Vine Deloria, and other Indigenous thinkers and activists working to share the traditional teachings of Indigenous peoples who have been living regeneratively for millennia.