Barcelona Degrowth Summer School 2026
Anti-Imperialism and Degrowth: Unravelling the Threads of Empire and Building Post-Extractive Futures
The Degrowth Summer School, initiated in 2014, has been a platform that brings together academics, practitioners, artists, activists, community organisers, and concerned citizens to collectively delve into discussions and learning experiences related to degrowth and environmental justice. Organised by Research & Degrowth International (R&Di), the school traditionally spanned two weeks.
The first week featured collaborations with the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and various community projects in Barcelona. The second week typically saw the school relocating to Cerbère, France, hosted by the project Can Decreix, serving as a space for practical experimentation and reflection on degrowth principles.
What is the Degrowth Summer School?
Research & Degrowth International, a think-and-act-tank dedicated to the radical transformation of our economies and societies through research, advocacy, education, training and events around degrowth.
As stewards of a more equitable and ecologically balanced world, R&Di stands at the forefront of a movement challenging the relentless pursuit of growth.
We are driven by the belief that a flourishing society can thrive without perpetually expanding its economic footprint.
Welcome to the 12th R&Di's Summer School!
The Degrowth Summer School, initiated in 2014, has been a platform that brings together academics, practitioners, artists, activists, community organisers, and concerned citizens to collectively delve into discussions and learning experiences related to degrowth and environmental justice. Organised by Research & Degrowth International (R&Di), the school traditionally spanned two weeks.
The first week featured collaborations with the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and various community projects in Barcelona. The second week typically saw the school relocating to Cerbère, France, hosted by the project Can Decreix, serving as a space for practical experimentation and reflection on degrowth principles.
- Theme: Anti-imperialism and Degrowth: Unravelling the Threads of Empire and Building Post-Extractive Futures
- Dates: 21 – 27 June 2026
- Location: Barcelona, Catalonia
This year’s summer school starts from a powerful premise: we cannot understand the ecological crisis without understanding imperialism, and we cannot achieve degrowth without anti-imperialism.
We will unravel the threads of empire by examining how the “war economy” and the growth imperative in wealthy nations are funded by an invisibilised system of ecologically unequal exchange. This system drains resources and energy from the Global South, creating sacrifice zones, fueling conflicts, and outsourcing environmental and social harm.
Our goal is not just critique, but to actively map pathways for building post-extractive futures. We will explore concrete strategies for delinking from destructive global circuits and foster an internationalism from below based on solidarity and decolonial feminist praxis. This is a space to connect the dots between the military-industrial complex, ecocide, and genocide, and to equip ourselves with the ideas and alliances needed to build just, liveable, and sovereign futures for all.
“Taking part in the Summer School was an enriching experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone. The quality of the classes and lecturers, the connections made, the joy of visiting activists via bike… If you’ve ever been curious of degrowth, environmental justice or alternative economic models THIS IS THE TIME FOR YOU!”
Félix Garnier
“The Degrowth Summer School was a truly transformational time for me. It was more than simply learning about alternative ways of organising society, it also felt like a true embodiment of degrowth, with the environmental justice, but also the culture of care that it entails! Couldn’t recommend the experience more!”
Alexia
“If you want to connect degrowth theory with real-life practice, this summer school is for you. We didn’t just discuss green extractivism, we spoke with those affected by it. We didn’t just read about communitarian life, we lived it. We didn’t just question whether low-impact lifestyles are possible, we proved it, eating vegan, moving by bike, and finding wellbeing in nature and community rather than consumption. To truly grasp the essence of degrowth, this is an opportunity worth considering.”
Roberto Talenti
PROGRAM
SPEAKERS
APPLICATIONS
More about these in the first week of March!
CONTACT
E-mail: summerschool@degrowth.org