Cultivators Practice Collective
A 6-month peer learning and practice experience for those leading the way to bring systems change into their teams, organisations, projects, and networks
intermediate
Cultivators Practice Collective
Autumn 2025
Why this now?
The Cultivators Practice Collective is a space for those working in the cracks of change that don’t just want more theory—but need a space to learn with others, test ideas, and receive support as they bring systems thinking and practice into their own context. It’s for internal change agents navigating the tension between transformation and maintenance, looking for areas of potential while learning how to act in the in-between spaces of their organizations to cultivate systemic ways of working.
It’s also for those who’ve had 1:1 support from partners, coaches, or consultants and are now seeking a peer exchange space—offering solidarity, stretch, and a shared commitment to doing the work at the system’s edge.
In many organizations, the urgency and pressure to prioritize immediate demands can pull people away from systemic work—making it feel risky, unclear, or isolating. Yet it is precisely in these cracks between the status quo and the not-yet-known that new possibilities begin to emerge.
The School of System Change has long worked with individuals bringing systems change into their organizations. We call this growing network Cultivators—practitioners deepening their role in change and building the capacity to design and lead systemic processes. Their work is often slow, messy, and courageous—embedding systemic approaches within real-world complexity.
How the collective aims to support you
We have designed a container to hold your practice, experimentation, and peer exchange that:
- Makes the invisible visible – Share what’s really happening on the ground, surface tough but important issues, and shift from abstraction to action in a supportive environment.
- Supports you in designing experiments – Build your own cycles of experimentation through testing and learning from interventions in real-time.
- Connects you with resources – Access methods from the School, including the Facilitators Handbook and Learning Commons, to support and extend your practice.
- Builds solidarity and connection – Form meaningful relationships, cultivate a sense of “we’re not in this alone,” and spark collaborations that endure beyond the program.
What you might be cultivating
These are the capacities and practices you may deepen through your engagement with the Collective:
- Acting from within – Build strategies to work systemically from the inside out—navigating internal dynamics, power, and resistance while staying grounded as a change agent.
- Working in the cracks – Use cycles of action inquiry to sense emerging possibilities within rigid systems—testing small, meaningful moves, noticing what shifts, and turning learning into influence.
- Holding your role with clarity – Clarify your evolving place within a wider field of change—anchoring in your purpose, positionality, and contribution.
- Practicing peer accompaniment – Deepen your capacity to support others by naming your own learning edges and resourcing your peers in theirs—legitimizing the emotional and relational work of systems change.
At its core, this is about building community and solidarity in practice. Because systems change isn’t a one-time transformation—it’s an ongoing commitment, often taken into infertile ground. It requires relationships, trial and error, and showing up with others who are also navigating the challenge of growing practice in tough terrain.
Structure & Sessions
We know that many of us are feeling full—juggling competing demands, navigating overwhelm, and trying to make space for systemic work in fast-moving environments. It can be hard to legitimise learning and reflection spaces in this context. That’s why this Collective is designed to feel life-affirming, not like another item on your to-do list. While you may arrive thinking, “I don’t have the headspace for this today,” our intention is that you leave each session feeling resourced, connected, and grounded—with at least one insight, idea, or next step you’re excited to bring back into your work.
The Cultivators Practice Collective runs over six months, creating a rhythm of reflection, experimentation, and shared learning. Each session builds on the last—grounding participants in real-time inquiry, peer support, and practical application.
Session 1: Connecting & Creating Action Inquiry Questions
Sessions 2 to 5: Practice, Reflection & Peer Coaching
Each monthly session includes a balance of personal reflection, emergent co-design,peer learning and experiment crafting.
- Landing & orienting check-in
- Solo reflection on practice and what’s shifting
- Crowdsourcing themes or questions to guide the session focus
- Peer coaching, either in small groups or full circle, to deepen inquiry and unstick challenges
Session 6: Learnings, Integration, and Going Forth
Our final session offers space to reflect on the journey, share what’s been learned, and consider how to carry this practice forward, both individually and collectively.
Hosts
Course Fees
Regenerative rate: £700 GBP / €830 EUR / $900 USD
For people in countries with strong economies, larger organisations and well-paid professionals.
Supporter rate: £500 GBP / €590 EUR / $650 USD
For people in countries with moderate economies, small organisations (fewer than 10 employees) and individuals.
Supported rate: £300 GBP / €360 EUR / $390 USD
For people in need of financial assistance to support their learning. Only a few discounted rate slots are allocated to each cohort.
The School of System Change team will manage the selection of participants who apply to the course. We aim for diversity across the cohort to include a variety of perspectives – from multiple types of organisation contexts, worldviews & experiences.
If you have any questions about course fees or if these are a barrier to you joining, please reach out to [email protected].
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Equity & Diversity
We seek to create safe and brave spaces for participants from different backgrounds and lived experience to engage in learning together. We acknowledge the power and responsibility we hold in our role as a convenor and learning provider, placing multiple ways of knowing and awareness of difference as fundamental design principles in our programmes.
Read more about our commitment and journey around equity and difference here.
Accessibility needs
If you anticipate requiring additional support for your wellbeing, learning or access needs during the course, then please let the team know as soon as possible, so we can factor this into our session design. You can let us know in the application form or email us at [email protected]. We are happy to arrange a call to discuss how we can support your learning. The course producer will also be on hand throughout the course if you have any questions or concerns to raise.
Contact Us
Want to speak with one of our team to answer any specific questions you have? Please email us at [email protected] and we'll be in touch to help. We look forward to hearing from you!
