ECOJAM 2023 – Sambhaavnaa Institute, Himachal

Deadline to apply February 6th, 2023

We warmly invite you to join us for this year’s EcoJam 2023, in Himachal Pradesh, from April 23rd-29th.

The EcoJam brings together 30 environmental change-makers from diverse backgrounds for six days of transformative experiences. We gather to know ourselves more deeply, build a community together, reconnect with Nature in a profound way, and find renewed vision, purpose, and support in our work in the world.

In a field that is often filled with burnout and division, the EcoJam is a space for us to be real and share all of ourselves – our struggles, frustrations, and joys alike. It is a space to learn from each other, especially across differences including gender, class and religion. It is a space to connect the dots between personal change and our work to create a sustainable and just world.

We welcome people from many fields connected to the environment: social entrepreneurs, environmental activists, organic farmers, teachers, conservationists, high-tech wizards, food advocates, those affected by environmental problems, and anyone passionate about Nature and sustainable living. You need not be an expert– there will be some with more experience and others new in their journey.

We invite you to join us on this fertile ground and link your roots with others to co-create an ecosystem of love and strength that can help shape a world where all beings thrive.

Why EcoJam?
As we write this invite, there are global climate meetings happening in Egypt where countries and governments are negotiating who is responsible for the climate crisis and what solutions are possible. But while they are doing that, large parts of India are experiencing erratic weather, many lack clean drinking water, and sea levels are rising. Add to that biodiversity loss, indigenous lands being taken away for mining, and cities filling to the brim, the state of the environment is in peril. Yet, little action is taken.

This is a time when many people are realising and experiencing that we are interconnected with each other and all life. The time is ripe for change. And yet by ourselves, working for change can be frustrating. Even changing ourselves can be hard enough. The EcoJam is a space to slow-down together with others on a similar path, and to work on our own inner sustainability as we work towards building a sustainable world. It is a space to celebrate the Earth and remember our sacred ecology.

What to expect at the EcoJam?
The EcoJam aims to address three interconnected levels of transformation: the personal, the interpersonal, and the social/systemic. It is NOT a typical environmental conference. We do not have panels. We do not have expert speakers. We are all participants.

We will be looking within at our own healing and growth, as well as our interpersonal relationships, in addition to healing our relationship to Nature at the systemic level. Through activities like facilitated dialogues, sharing circles, artistic expression, games, movement, participant-led workshops, outdoor adventure, and lots of free time for spontaneous interactions amongst the participants, we will together explore our own experiences, questions and dynamics.

Through conversations, exchanges and just plain hanging out together, we get a chance to see things from new perspectives. To activate our imaginations, creativity and curiosity. To align our vision and values. To face our fears and overcome our blocks. We get to heal and to find new friends and partners in our journey.

What’s a ‘Jam’?
In music, a jam is a creative, live gathering of musicians who together, spontaneously create a new sound, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Similarly, Jams are places where diverse leaders and visionaries bring together their passion, openness, and unique perspectives. In spontaneous connection, we weave layers of experience, wisdom, heart and spirit to create some real magic. To date, more than 200 Jams have been held on six continents, bringing together young and intergenerational leaders from more than 85 countries. The EcoJam is being co-organised by a diverse group of leaders, with the support of YES! based in the U.S. (see www.yesworld.org)

Financial Contribution
The actual cost of the EcoJam per participant is Rs 25,000 for the duration of 6 days (including food, accommodation, materials & modest stipends for organizers and facilitators). However, we recognize that not everyone can afford this, and so we have done some fundraising to be able to offer a sliding scale. If you are also in a position to raise funds for yourself and for your travels, that will help us provide more scholarship opportunities. If you would like us to share a fundraising template with you, let us know.

The sliding scale is Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000. This means that you can contribute anywhere between these amounts, according to your capacity. We appreciate your efforts to find the money even if it is a little difficult (we can help you in asking for support from family, friends, your organization, etc). If you can, we urge you to pay in full or pay what is possible for you, so that we can offer scholarships to people who need it the most.

If you believe the Jam is the right place for you and that there is a calling for you to attend, please do not let money stand in the way of your participation.

If you cannot pay the minimum Rs 9,000, write to us and we will figure out what we can do. In the end, this is about creating the diverse community we wish to see and that means recognizing that each of us has different capacities to contribute. We do ask that everyone take a stretch to give a little more than what may be comfortable, but without creating hardships for you.

Dates: April 23rd (arrival)-April 29th (departure)

Venue
Sambhaavnaa Institute
Address: 4H5F+2C9, Kandbari, Himachal Pradesh 176061
https://goo.gl/maps/fVvA7ntXCAHxvPA99

Jams are usually held in a naturally beautiful place, away from the hustle-bustle of modern life, so that it is both inspiring and rejuvenating. Sambhaavnaa Institute is located in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Built using locally-sourced materials and traditional architectural design and practices, the Sambhaavnaa campus celebrates the surroundings in which it stands. The Institute is
managed and run by a small team of locals and visiting volunteers.

Sambhaavnaa’s campus also hosts a farm, cowshed, and tea gardens that provide organic food and ensure the sustainability of practices and consumption. Currently, a seed bank is being built to collect and conserve a wide variety of local food varieties from across the region. https://www.sambhaavnaa.org/

Accommodation and food
We have shared rooms and will aim to have as much tasty, healthy, vegetarian and natural food as possible during our stay. Please let us know well in advance if you have any special dietary needs.

You can apply for the EcoJam here: https://tinyurl.com/EcoJam2023App.

Contacts
Yash: 9920407033
Ayesha: 9971970287
Vishal: 9530078826
ecojamindia@gmail.com
https://yesworld.org/