• The Future Now, Grassroots Solutions to the Crisis of our Time
  Regenerative approaches to community-building through small-group networks, participatory leadership, and grassroots economic models.

  Instructor:

  Lynne Franks

  Course Overview

  This course introduces the “POD Effect” as a model for grassroots community regeneration, grounded in over three decades of international practice working with women across diverse cultural, social, and economic contexts. Drawing on the SEED (Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics) framework, the programme demonstrates how small, relational group structures (“Pods”) can function as effective units of social cohesion, personal development, and localised systems change.Participants will explore how concepts such as social capital, relational leadership, and systems thinking can be applied through participatory, peer-led methodologies.

• The course situates these approaches within wider academic and policy discourses on community resilience, regenerative development, and inclusive leadership.A central focus is on emerging models of community economy, with particular attention to lived practice and innovation in the UK and Africa.
• Through guest speakers and expert contributors, participants will engage with real-world examples of community-led economic initiatives that prioritise wellbeing, sustainability, and local value creation.
• The course integrates experiential learning, including field visits, facilitated group work, and reflective exercises, alongside curated films and interviews with global leaders in sustainability and community leadership. These elements are designed to bridge theory and practice and to support applied understanding.
• This programme is designed for both academic inquiry and practical application, offering value to students, community organisers, network leaders, and practitioners seeking to develop innovative, participatory approaches to community-building and social change.
  

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of the course participants will be able to:

• Transform their understanding of community and economy from hierarchical and extractive models to relational, regenerative approaches
  • Generate context-specific frameworks for establishing small, peer-supported groups and networks
  • Identify the social, cultural, and economic conditions that enable trust, participation, and collective agency
  • Create a prototype “Pod” model aligned with community needs and local economic contexts
  • Implement facilitation strategies that support inclusive dialogue, shared leadership, and collaborative action
  • Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of grassroots and community economy models in comparison with conventional systems

  Participants

  This course is designed for a diverse cohort. No prior specialist knowledge is required, although familiarity with community development, leadership, or social innovation will be beneficial.

  Instructor

  Lynne Franks is a communications strategist, author, and founder of the SEED (Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics) framework. Over a career spanning more than thirty years, she has worked internationally with women at the grassroots across a wide range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, developing participatory models for empowerment, leadership, and community-building.Her work integrates systems thinking, sustainability, and relational leadership into practical initiatives, including SEED Pods and the Power of Seven programme. She is the founder of the SEED Hub in Somerset, a centre for regenerative practice, collaboration, and learning.
  This course has been designed for:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Community organisers and network leaders
• Social entrepreneurs and practitioners
• individuals working in sustainability, leadership, and social change

Hosted by Lynne Franks, founder of SEED, (Sustainable Enterprise & Empowerment Dynamics), in partnership with the Green Economics Institute, this unique Oxford summer programme, explores how women-led small networks and grassroots initiatives can regenerate communities, grow food, strengthen local economies and support sustainable development.

Lynne has developed the POD Effect which builds on decades of experience supporting women’s empowerment, ethical enterprise and collaborative leadership.

Participants will explore how small groups – or “Pods” – can become catalysts for social innovation, community well being and environmental action. The programme brings together academics, NGOs, community organisers and social entrepreneurs to share knowledge,examine real-world initiatives and develop practical strategies for grassroots change.Through panel discussions, field visits and collaborative workshops, participants will design their own Pod Action Plan for implementation in their communities.

Attendees receive a certificate in community leadership and sustainable regeneration.

Terms and Conditions Apply.