Well Being Lab - Summerschool

About

Short Description 
An immersive summer school exploring how we can redesign our economic and social systems for wellbeing and regeneration. Join us for a week of interactive workshops, serious games, and community building in the heart of Brussels. This is a safe laboratory environment where we can explore, test, and experiment with new ideas together — a cocoon for transformation. 

A partnership between VUB House of Sustainable Transition, Happonomy and Commons Hub Brussels.

Why should you join?  
Our world is shaped by the stories we tell about the economy. For too long, we’ve accepted a narrative of endless growth, competition, and market logic that leaves us with no time for what truly matters. But what if we put wellbeing, community, and regeneration at the center? This summer school invites you to become an “Architect of Hope” — to imagine, design, and embody new ways of organizing our society, our organizations, and ourselves. It’s time to choose: keep eating yourself in the endless circle, or emerge as something beautiful that serves life? 

Who is this summerschool for? 
Changemakers, students, professionals, and citizens who sense that “business as usual” is not enough Anyone interested in post-growth, regenerative economics, and new forms of organizing our society Those who feel lonely in wanting a different story than the “work hard, play hard” culture Both caterpillars ready to transform and butterflies who want to teach and learn alongside others Anyone who believes we need to slow down and make time for what truly matters 

Program Overview 
Monday: Commons Game & Postgrowth Economics Tuesday: Sustainability Bingo, Money Game, Project Visit, Evening Lecture Wednesday: Project Ecology Map, Deep Democracy Thursday: Active Hope Workshop, Deep Ecology Walk, Community Evening Friday: Climate Constellations, Parliament of Things, Creative Wrap-up See full program below for details. 

Practical Information 
Dates: 15–19 September 2025 
Location: Commonshub Brussels (next to Brussels Central), with some events at VUB main campus
Language: English (unless otherwise noted) 
Food & Drinks: Sandwich lunch, snacks, coffee & tea provided 
Fee: Regenerative pricing (see below) 
Capacity: Max 40 participants  

Pricing 
Resilient: €500 (minimum, covers costs) Sustainable: €750 (recommended) Regenerative: €1250 (supports access for others) If price is a barrier, contact us—we want you here if you feel you should be here! 

How to Register Register and choose your ticket here 
Contact Questions? Jonas.Van.der.slycken@vub.be or house@vub.be 

Facilitators 

Jonas Van der Slycken is a writer, economist, and the initiator of this summer school. As a visiting professor, he teaches regenerative prosperity systems at VUB and UGent. He gives workshops, lectures, writes columns, and is the author of “Genoeg voor iedereen” (Enough for Everyone). LinkedIn 

Leen Schelfhout is the co-founder and driver of Commons Hub Brussels. Leen is a trainer, facilitator, and community builder specializing in participatory methods, deep democracy, and commons-based governance, with a strong background in regenerative leadership and open facilitation. LinkedIn 

Bruno Delepierre is a lawyer, behavioral economist, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and coordinator of Happonomy, a Leuven-based non-profit that helps people, organizations, and communities make choices that lead to a sustainable, happy life. Happonomy supports the transition to a regenerative economy that restores social and ecological wellbeing. LinkedIn 

Cathy Macharis is a full professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. She has a passion for the transition towards a more sustainable world. She is the host and founder of the House of Sustainable Transitions, where more than 200 dedicated researchers study and support the transition towards a more sustainable world. LinkedIn 

Yolan Gielen is an educational designer and process facilitator passionate about regeneration and community. As community manager at HOST, he connects pioneers and designs learning journeys where co-learning, joy, and genuine connection are central. Yolan believes that learning should be meaningful, memorable, and fun—a true homecoming for everyone involved. LinkedIn