Composting for Change: Marlieke Kieboom’s Reflections on the Future of Labs
In her blog post Shi(f)t for Humanity, Compost for Change: the Future of Social Innovation Labs, Marlieke Kieboom, a Future of Labs Contributor, offers a creative take on what labs have been, how they are evolving, and where they might go next. Using composting as a metaphor, she reflects on how ideas, institutions, and even ourselves need to transform in order to nourish new possibilities.
Her reflections are organized around five themes:
Social innovation labs are dead. Long live the labs, and their people
To compost old ideas, institutions, and systems into something new, we have to compost ourselves
Joy, creativity, and art are pivotal in times of polycrisis
Separation generates competition, collaboration brings connection
The future is relational, therefore the future of labs is relational
Marlieke’s writing is thoughtful and playful, making space for both critique and hope.