When? June 16-19, 2026
Where? Krakow, Poland
Across Central and Eastern Europe, people are experiencing overlapping crises: rising living costs, environmental degradation, work precarity and growing inequalities. Climate and economic transformations are often presented as trade-offs – between satisfying social needs and caring for the environment. Yet many social movements, trade unions, community initiatives and researchers are asking a shared question: how can we ensure good life for all within planetary boundaries? Degrowth offers a framework to imagine a green and just transition that prioritises well-being, care and fairness over endless economic growth, rejecting the need for “sacrifices”.
As a social movement and practice, as well as a field of academic research, degrowth is becoming an increasingly clear and serious proposition, yet it is still mainly voiced by West European theory and practice. That is why this conference want to talk about degrowth in the context of Central and Eastern Europe. Countries from the former Eastern Block aspiring to ‘catch up with the West’. Societies that are rather sceptical about climate policies and perceive green transition as a cost rather than an opportunity. Economies largely based on non-renewable energy sources, still experiencing the consequences of an unjust political transition for the world of work. ‘Young’ democracies, increasingly vulnerable to attacks from the far right. Places where discussions about de/militarisation are taking place in the shadow of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the threat of Russian aggression. Let’s talk about degrowth in the CEE region and develop regional responses, tasks, and propositions!
In a recent article for Forbes, Corbin K Barthold makes several allegations against the idea of degrowth without having a clear understanding of the concept. He also includes some quotations - originally reported in a different article (by Aaron Timms) - from a vibrant classroom discussion which took place at the 2019 Degrowth Summer School hosted by the Institute of Environmental Scienc...
The crises provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed for all what many have long known: the foundations of the wealth and well-being of the world rest upon the sphere of social reproduction and the labor of care. This work is performed primarily by women and, more generally, by people whose work and lives are under-valued and marginalized by sexist, racist, classist, homophobic and ableis...
The holidays are special; a chance to stop working, slow down and spend time with family and friends. The numerous family gatherings will likely involve discussions about the state of the world, politics, climate change, and maybe even degrowth. In case you find yourself in this scenario, we have put together this list of tips and suggestions for how to discuss degrowth with family and friends...
