The Wellbeing Project, conceived in 2014 as a co-creation, works to integrate inner wellbeing and social change, recognizing that cultural and systemic transformation requires the effort, insight, and input of different groups woven into a larger whole. Today over 60 institutions worldwide co-create the Project, including leading nonprofits, intermediaries, foundations, universities, media groups, venture capital firms, museums, and arts institutions. Anchor Co-creators include Ashoka, Georgetown University, Impact Hub, Porticus, Skoll Foundation, and Synergos. The Project undertakes pioneering research on changemaker wellbeing, connecting it to outcomes for communities and systems change, and has explored topics like intergenerational trauma and ecological belonging. The Ecosystem Network, a core pillar for seven years spanning 97 member organizations across five continents, has successfully sunset after surpassing its goals of fostering wellbeing culture among changemakers.
Why It Matters: Research increasingly shows a significant and robust case for wellbeing at the heart of social change—yet this connection has been largely overlooked by movements focused solely on external outcomes. By building credible knowledge through partnerships with highly regarded research institutions while fostering community through forums, retreats, and collaborative subgroups, the Project demonstrates that inner growth and outer influence are inseparable. The co-creation model involving 60+ diverse institutions shows that transforming how changemakers relate to their own wellbeing requires ecosystem-level effort, not isolated interventions, creating lasting positive impact that continues to flourish beyond any single initiative.
