10 years of Eco-Social Design* and now?
BASIS Vinschgau Venosta (South Tyrol, Italy)
21–23 May 2026
Join the Constellation
Following our call for papers and visual essays, the By Design and by Disaster team is excited to open the floor for hands-on workshops.
Since 2013, this conference has served as a platform for connecting diverse fields—design, art, science, activism, and rural/urban development. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Master in Eco-Social Design at the Free University of Bolzano, the 2026 edition is not just a celebration, but a critical juncture for reflection and forward-looking strategy. We invite you to join us at BASIS Vinschgau Venosta for a lively mix of collective inquiry, practical making, connection, and exchange. More in this year’s conference.
The 2026 Focus: “Preguntando Caminamos”
‘asking, we walk’, motto of the Zapatista movement.
In these overwhelming times of crisis, conflict, and collapse, the urgency to join forces has never been greater. We are looking back to look forward: What has worked? What must change? How do we counter political depression with collective empowerment?
We are seeking workshops that address these questions through three specific tracks:
Track 1: Learning and Teaching (Pedagogies for transformation)
Track 2: Practices and Projects (Concrete actions and case studies)
Track 3: Strategies and Structures (Organizational and legal forms, alliances, movements, …)
You can get more in depth descriptions of the tracks in the call for papers and visual essays.
What We Are Looking For
We are searching for practitioners, activists, and designers and other engaged people to lead hands-on workshops that promote collective action toward social and ecological transformation.
We welcome all formats that move beyond standard presentations: e.g. choreography, crafting, co-designing, interventions, games, field explorations, or strategic role-play. Your workshop should be an active space for “doing” and “asking” together.
Duration: Workshops are typically limited to 90 minutes (unless otherwise motivated).
Submission Guidelines
If you are ready to share your practice and help us co-create this year’s experience, please submit your proposal by the 28th of February to designdisaster@unibz.it
Your submission must include the following:
1. Who you are: An introduction of yourself or your collective.
2. Keywords: 3–5 keywords that capture the essence of your workshop.
3. The Concept: An abstract/brief explanation of your workshop.
Crucial: Please explicitly state how your concept relates to this year’s focus (“10 Years… and now?”) and which of the three tracks (Learning, Practices, or Strategies) it belongs to.
4. The Flow: A schedule of the workshop structure (e.g., breakdown of the 90-minute session, intended activities, and timing).
Format Requirements
Length: Maximum 2 pages A4.
Content: Text combined with supporting visuals (sketches, photos of previous iterations, mood boards, etc.).
File Type: PDF