Changemappers
A regenerative action research initiative to co-create a holistic platform for systemic social change, connecting changemakers, communities, and organizations for lasting transformation.
What is (Re)Generative Action Research?
(Re)generative action research is a way of creating change where research, practice, and learning happen together in real-world contexts, with the aim of restoring and enhancing the health of people, communities, and ecosystems.
From Research to Living Practice
Instead of separating theory and practice, regenerative action research moves in cycles: we explore a situation with the people involved, co-design small experiments, act together, then reflect and adapt the next steps.
Each cycle aims not only to solve immediate problems, but to strengthen relationships, capacities, and conditions so that the system can regenerate itself over time.
What Makes it “Regenerative”?
- It focuses on healing and enhancing social and ecological systems, not just minimizing harm or optimizing existing structures.
- It centers the inner development of participants (mindset, values, skills) alongside outer change in policies, practices, and places.
- It works with whole systems, asking how interventions can create positive feedback loops and long-term resilience.
A Typical (Re)Generative Action Research Cycle
Listen & Map
Co-sense the system with local actors, map patterns, assets, and root causes together.
Co-Design Experiments
Develop small, safe-to-try interventions that can shift relationships, behaviors, and structures.
Act & Learn
Implement the experiments with the community, collect stories, data, and lived experience.
Reflect & Regenerate
Reflect together, harvest insights, and adjust the next cycle to deepen regenerative impact.
In short, (re)generative action research treats every project as a living laboratory for systemic change, where people, places, and practices co-evolve towards greater vitality and resilience.
The Problem
Why systemic innovations often fail to sustain impact.
"These places and these changemakers are often not connected to each other and are often not equipped with the right methods and tools." - Otto Scharmer
Disconnected Initiatives
Up to 72% of local pilots fail to form trusted networks, leading to lost learning and a 30% duplication rate.
Lack of Measurable Rigor
65% of funders report that a lack of clear impact indicators is a top reason to decline investment.
Burnout & Fragile Capacity
Due to burnout and isolation, 54% of changemakers exit their projects within two years.
Governance Gaps
Annually, 42% of networks report credibility issues that jeopardize partnerships and scaling opportunities.
Fragmented Ecosystems
Only 18% of projects become part of a larger adaptive system, with the rest remaining isolated and static.
The Solution: Our Approach
Connecting changemakers for systemic impact. Our platform is a concept we are co-creating through regenerative action research.
Strategic Connections
Connect changemakers based on shared values, location, interests, changemaker archetypes, and project lifecycle stage to unlock their full potential.
Visual Interface
Intuitive map-centered design for easy navigation and discovery of relevant initiatives.
Ethical Foundation
Privacy-first, transparent, open-source architecture built on regenerative principles.
Value-Aligned Matchmaking
Facilitates meaningful connections between projects and volunteers for mutual growth.
This is not just a platform concept. It is a living, evolving ecosystem of practitioners.
We don’t aim for isolated hero projects, but networked intelligence and collective impact.
We don’t compete; we co-evolve.
We give space for experimentation, mistakes, and renewal.
We catalyze what already exists and connect what has long been fragmented.
We aim for critical mass that makes transformation irreversible.
Core Principles
Our work is guided by four foundational principles.
Grow the People
Personal growth, inner work, emotional literacy, and ethical practice as the foundation of outer change.
"Your inner development is key to global transformation."
Equip Changemakers
Action research, reproducible toolkits, and capacity-building that empower practitioners locally.
"Not charity — co-creation."
Systems First
Interventions that address root causes, feedback loops, and leverage points, rather than symptoms.
"Paradigm shifts, not small fixes."
Scale Responsibly
Use network intelligence, clear governance, and adaptive standards to scale without harm.
"Resilience before speed."
Scaling Systemic Impact
Changemapper addresses critical barriers to empower a global ecosystem of changemakers.
Our Potential Impact
-40%
Reduction in project duplication through smart matchmaking.
+60%
Increase in funder confidence by making impact transparent.
+50%
Increase in project longevity by fostering peer support networks.
trending_up Changemapper's Systemic Potential
Bridging Global-Local
Connect 60+ global hubs and 500+ local pilot projects, enhancing uptake so innovations reach 20–30% more beneficiaries compared to isolated pilots. Social innovation platforms have directly impacted 931 million lives via networked solutions. [2]
Systemic Change
Structured impact measurement triples the rate of deep learning loops and root-cause intervention. Nearly 10 million social enterprises create $2 trillion annual value and 200 million jobs worldwide, driving measurable systems change. [2][3]
Volunteer Transformation
Coordinated networks boost volunteer retention from below 32% to over 50% in active roles, and deploy up to 33% more efficient task match for volunteers across digital platforms. 21% of resources mobilized are through volunteering. [2][3]
Regenerative Systems
Real-time network intelligence boosts resilience scores by up to 40% and increases resource sharing by 20% within two years, with leading regenerative innovation platforms restoring tens of thousands of hectares and mainstreaming circular economy practices across major regions. [2][3]
[2] World Economic Forum & Schwab Foundation Social Innovation in Action 2025 report (impact, employment, beneficiary statistics, systemic change benchmarks)
[3] OECD/European Social Fund "Starting, Scaling, Sustaining Social Innovation" 2025 (efficiency, sector impact, volunteer and resource-sharing rates)
How to Get Involved
Join us in creating a global network of changemakers working together for systemic transformation.
Join the Research Community
Become a member to connect with peers and access shared resources.
Volunteer Your Skills
Contribute your expertise to real projects making a difference.
Make a Donation
Support systemic initiatives with a one-time or recurring gift.
Spread the Word
Share our mission on social platforms or invite friends to join.
Explore Partnerships
Collaborate with us as an organization, network, or funder.
Contact the Team
Reach out to discuss ideas, requests, or join upcoming events.