The answers were diverse. And they are encouraging.
Because they show this clearly: the ideas, the hope, the desire for change – all of that is already there. However, the gap between intention and action is real. At the co-do lab we want to bridge this gap.

That’s why we now invite you to a short thought experiment of your own:
Imagine it is the year 2050. How old will you be then? And now think of a child who is important to you. How old will this child be in 2050?
What kind of world will this child live in? What does this world feel like?

Often, very clear images emerge. And a quiet knowing: we cannot continue the way we do today.

co-do lab: shaping transformation together

Our response to this insight is already embedded in our name:
co – do – lab

co: collaboration

Complex challenges cannot be solved in silos.
Transformation needs diversity of perspectives, real participation and collaboration across departments, organisations and sectors.
We foster a culture of co-creation instead of competition – or better: co-competition.
Because sustainable solutions emerge where shared impact matters more than individual interests.

do: moving into action

Transformation must not fail at the threshold of implementation.
Our goal is to lower this threshold – not through pressure, but through intrinsic motivation.
Studies show: around 10% engaged people in an organisation are enough to set change in motion from within.
These are exactly the people we support – for example through our programme Hello Transformation.
We take them out of their daily routines and into nature, strengthening self-efficacy, resilience and the courage to take the first step.

lab: space to experiment

Sustainable change does not emerge on the drawing board.
There is no single right path – but many learning loops.
That is why we create spaces for experimentation:
places where people can try new things, develop prototypes, make mistakes and learn together.
From these experiences, solutions emerge that are resilient – and scalable.

Why now?

The consequences of inaction are already tangible – ecologically, economically and socially. Planetary boundaries are being exceeded, societal polarisation is increasing, and resilience is under pressure.
At the same time, we see this clearly: there are countless people who are already taking action – and many more who want to act but are still looking for the right impulse.

Our goal is to bring exactly these people together.
And to show pathways for how sustainable transformation can already succeed today.

Our stance

Sustainable transformation begins in the heart.
It becomes a mindset – and grows through connection.

Or, in other words:
We co-do transformation for a better tomorrow – with head, heart and hands.

The question is no longer whether transformation is possible.
It is: what is your contribution?

Let’s move into action together. And shape transformation in a way that feels aligned – for ourselves, for others and for the world of tomorrow.

This question sounds simple. And yet it touches on one of the greatest challenges of our time.

At the co-do lab, this is exactly what we work on – every single day. Because one thing is clear: 2050, set as a climate target, is no longer an abstract date. It is a very concrete future that we are shaping today. With every decision we make. In companies, cities, organisations – and on a very personal level.

So the key question is no longer whether we need to act, but rather: How do we start acting now?

Between momentum and standstill

After years of momentum – the Paris Climate Agreement, the EU Green Deal, Fridays for Future – it feels as if the movement has slowed down.
For many, transformation seems further away again than it did just a few years ago.

At the same time, we are standing at a societal tipping point:
Right now, it is being decided whether we actively shape change – or whether we remain stuck in a mix of overwhelm, polarisation and “business as usual”.

In this context, sustainable transformation should not be seen only as a duty or a risk.
But consciously also as an opportunity: for new business models, innovation, resilience and long-term viability.

Because one thing is clear: by moving into action, we have more to gain than to lose.

Why good intentions are not enough

And yet, transformation often fails precisely where the willingness to change actually exists. Why is that?

The reason is rarely a lack of knowledge.
It is the so-called intention–action gap: many people want to change something – but too few actually take action.

We see this in businesses, in municipalities and across society as a whole.
Strategies are developed, goals are defined, reports are written – and still, change often remains abstract, slow or ineffective.

Why? Because sustainable transformation does not happen in the head alone.

Transformation starts with people

Sustainable transformation needs more than analyses, KPIs and roadmaps.
It needs clear visions – and a holistic approach that takes people and culture just as seriously as structures and processes.

Above all, it needs connection:

to nature,

to one another,

to ourselves.

Only when people experience meaningful action, feel a sense of self-efficacy and see themselves as part of something bigger are they truly ready to change.

This is exactly where the co-do lab comes in.

Head, heart and hands – our approach

We are convinced:
There is no outer development without inner development.

That is why we accompany transformation processes in a way that activates head, heart and hands alike:

– Head: orientation, knowledge, strategic clarity

– Heart: purpose, connection, emotional resonance

– Hands: concrete action, experimentation, learning by doing

This is how change is not imposed from the outside, but carried from within.

Curious to learn more? You can read more impulses on the “how” of transformation in part 2 of our blog series.

These questions were symbolically posed at the Co-Creation Kitchen – a station at our Grand Opening that deliciously combined sustainability, creativity and community.

At the co-do lab, transformation is not just something to be thought about, but something to be experienced and shaped – with your head, heart and hands. In the Co-Creation Kitchen, this vision was literally brought to the table: with shared energy, inspiring conversations and a wide variety of ingredients, ‘transformation cakes’ were baked. The result not only tasted good, but also provoked thought.

From recipe to resonance – how a cake became a symbol

The task sounded simple – but it was anything but: in just 30 minutes, teams whose members did not know each other beforehand had to create a ‘transformation cake’ together. But instead of a fixed recipe plan, the focus was on joint thinking and decision-making.

Each group worked on one stage of the cake – and built on the decisions of the previous teams. The result was not just a dessert, but a symbol of sustainable transformation:

Group 1 decided on the base – the foundation for change. For example, they decided whether the dough should be based on innovation and environmental awareness (oat yoghurt) or accessibility and feasibility (cow’s milk yoghurt).

Group 2 added strategic flavours, such as local honey as a symbol of regional value creation or cane sugar when global perspectives were seen as an important lever.

Group 3 took on the design – the visible differentiation, the vision of a transformation that inspires and excites: almonds for longevity or seasonal fruits for a little more freshness and zest?

In the end, there were several colourful, creative cakes on the table – each an expression of different approaches, beliefs and styles. And all together, proof that transformation needs diversity.

Chaos meets creativity – and the result is impact

Of course, not everything went according to plan. Quantities were mixed up, ingredients improvised, time slots stretched. But that was precisely where the magic lay: despite (or perhaps because of) the lively chaos, moments of genuine collaboration arose in which people laughed, took responsibility and embraced new ideas.

The feedback was clear:

The participants wanted exchange between the groups and space for mutual learning and connecting perspectives. It was surprising how quickly an atmosphere of trust and interest developed despite time pressure and unfamiliar team constellations. Transformation, it turned out, does not begin with perfection – but with openness.

Co-creation as a recipe for success

Behind the scenes, too, it became clear how much power there is in genuine co-creation. Michael provided the vision, Ada coordinated the planning, and Jakob – star chef at Restaurant Winkelmann – took care of the culinary implementation.

This collaboration made tangible what we live by at co-do lab: Transformation succeeds when people with different perspectives combine their strengths – when thinking, feeling and acting come together.

Conclusion: Change goes through the stomach – and the heart

The co-creation kitchen is more than just a cooking station. It is a living example of how ideas become tangible experiences – and how joint action makes change tangible. Transformation happens when people take responsibility, feel joy and experience meaning. And sometimes it starts with a spoonful of dough – and the question: How does change taste to you?

Curious to experience this yourself and with your team? Get in touch!

Let’s set off on a short journey. Imagine it is a sunny September day at Gut Einern, our inspiring pioneering place. In the outdoor kitchen, between the permaculture garden and fluffy clouds, ten people sit relaxed on pallet sofas. One by one each person talks about their favourite sustainable product. There is the old rucksack that carries memories of an entire youth. There is grandma’s yellow cookbook, which brings back childhood time and again. Or the newly discovered joy of second-hand clothing, which is more individual than any new piece of clothing ever could be. We hear laughter as common ground is discovered and connections are made. It quickly becomes clear that sustainable living doesn’t have to be complicated – and that everyone is a natural at telling stories that touch and motivate others.

Why storytelling?

This is exactly where our workshop comes in: storytelling means exchange, diversity of perspectives and a shared search for meaning. It’s about distilling the essence:

Why do we do what we do – and what is our North Star?

Which products, services or ideas will take us from today to tomorrow?

What challenges stand in our way – and how do we overcome them?

What impact do we want to make, and what do the people we do it for need?

From questions to stories

Working in groups, participants use storytelling canvases, develop micro-stories, test initial approaches and refine their narratives iteratively. Each round brings new facets, new perspectives and new ideas. This results in stories that not only tell a tale, but also work well to trigger emotions. Some stories clearly show a positive ending – they inspire and call for action. Others are still in the midst of conflict. This is also valuable, because it allows obstacles to be made visible, priorities to be clarified and next steps to be defined. Storytelling becomes a tool that makes innovation possible.

What does storytelling create?

The resulting stories can be used in many ways:

for corporate communications

for change management

for employee engagement and co-creation

for new ideas, value propositions and innovation paths

But above all, storytelling connects. It makes complex issues understandable, conveys motivation and creates shared images that everyone can relate to. It is precisely this common ground that we need to make sustainability transformation truly possible.

Interested in telling your own story?

How could you and your team use storytelling to sharpen ideas, get people on board and drive innovation? What stories are still waiting to be told?

If you are interested in how you can use storytelling as a tool for your transformation journey, please feel free to contact us.

How to benefit from futures visioning

Whether you are part of a company, a community, or simply curious about your personal path: navigating today’s complex world requires clarity about tomorrow. Futures visioning offers a space to:

Step out of day-to-day pressures and reflect on what kind of future you want to create.

Make uncertainties tangible, so they don’t paralyze, but rather inspire bold action.

Strengthen resilience by preparing for multiple scenarios instead of betting on just one.

In short, futures visioning is not just for strategists and policymakers; it’s a tool that can help anyone make decisions that align with their long-term goals and values.

Diverse perspectives

The future doesn’t belong to individuals alone; it is shared. That’s why exchanging perspectives is so powerful. When people from different backgrounds, teams or units come together, new possibilities emerge, as does a shared path to walk together on.

A sustainability expert might see planetary boundaries where a business leader sees market potential.

A young professional may imagine futures free from today’s limitations, while a policymaker brings in the knowledge of existing systems.

Through dialogue, blind spots are revealed, assumptions challenged, and richer visions created. Futures visioning thrives on these diverse perspectives – and ensures that the future we imagine is more inclusive, grounded, and inspiring.

The path to the future

At the co-do lab, futures visioning is designed as an interactive journey rather than a theoretical exercise. A typical process can include:

1. Setting the frame: clarifying the focus – for example, the future of mobility, circular business models, or resilient communities.

2. Exploring signals of change: scanning trends, disruptions, and innovations that could shape the future.

3. Imagining scenarios: working in groups to develop vivid stories about different possible futures.

4. Identifying preferred futures: reflecting on which future we actually want to move towards – and why.

5. Backcasting & action planning: defining concrete steps today that could bring us closer to that preferred future.

All of this happens through hands-on, creative formats: visual storytelling, role-play, building artefacts of the future, or immersive experiences that make visions tangible.

A tool for transformation

Futures visioning is not about predicting the future. It’s about unlocking agency: realizing that the future is something we can actively shape – if we dare to imagine it together. We see that once people experience the power of futures visioning, they not only think differently – they also act differently.

👉 Interested in exploring and shaping the future?

At the Grand Opening of the co-do! lab and the 20th anniversary of the CSCP, our mother organisation, nearly 100 guests experienced just that: transformation through connection, nature, and immersive moments that touched head, heart, and hand. Here’s how one day became a catalyst for lasting change.

On May 22nd our guests joined us at Gut Einern, our home base in Wuppertal, and embarked on a transformation journey across six interactive stations, each designed to engage the mind, touch the heart, and activate the hands. From the Base Camp, groups set out with guides, each stop offering its own impulse:

In the Futures Visioning station at the Vertical Farm, hidden inside a former shipping container, participants encountered a futuristic vision of local food systems, car-free cities and the future of work—and tasted it, too. The crisp lettuce sparked conversations about how visionary ideas often begin with a simple, tangible prototype.

In the co-do! Mobil, a repurposed city bus, the focus shifted to dialogue. The cozy, unconventional setting turned into a vibrant discussion space for everything from systems change to shared responsibility.

At the Impact Fireside, guests gathered on straw bales around a glowing campfire. Through reflective questions and partner exchanges, deep connection emerged—both with others and with the self. Many described this moment as grounding, emotional, and inspiring.

Hello Transfromation, set in a blooming permaculture garden, offered two paths: a hands-on sparring session which promotes the formulation of more complex thought as well as attentive listening, or a meditative journey through past and future set in nature. Both options created space for new perspectives—and surprising clarity.

Then came the Skill-Building Deck, where participants explored transformation tools through playful interaction. A highlight was Fabby: a cheerful AI onion that playfully guides users through circular economy thinking. Fabby made complexity approachable—and memorable.

In the Co-Creation Kitchen, dessert became metaphor. As teams combined ingredients into sweet creations, they reflected on what’s needed for transformation to succeed—reflection, experimentation, diversity, and joy.

Back at the central square, the co-do lab’s partner organisations hosted a collaboration camp. Guests then stepped into the Zukunftsscheune, a repurposed barn, for an immersive sound and light installation featuring “100 Voices” on the future of sustainability.

After a collective dinner the day ended around the fire with self-made dessert, good conversations, and a golden sunset. We heard again and again: these kinds of experiences stay with people. They inspire. They move. They create a shift.

We at the co-do! lab, the newly founded start-up of the CSCP, believe in this approach deeply. We call it the 10% method—reaching and empowering the pioneers in any system who then carry the momentum forward.

Curious to learn more or join our next experience? Get in touch!
📩 hello@co-do-lab.org

That’s why we’ve been on a journey to discover places that embody this vision: living labs, innovation hubs and retreat spaces that showcase solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. From circular building and regenerative agriculture to sustainable fashion and beyond, these places offer fertile ground for collaboration and co-creation.

Our first pioneering place: Gut Einern

Gut Einern is the home of the co-do lab and inspiration for our network of pioneering places. It combines sustainable living with advanced ecological and technological solutions. It features a vertical farm for local food production, a permaculture garden, and multi-generational housing to foster community living. The project also integrates alternative mobility solutions, such as sharing concepts and renewable energy systems, to reduce the carbon footprint. Gut Einern serves as a model for how future communities can blend sustainability, technology, and social responsibility into a single, forward-thinking environment.

Returning participants and newcomers, including individuals from sectors like banking, finance, energy, and more came together. The sense of belonging and shared purpose was palpable, a testament to the programme’s focus on connection and collaboration.

Exploring sustainability in practice

On the first day, participants explored the concept of the Circular Economy through immersive sessions across various parts of Gut Einern. Highlights included:

A visit to the farm shop, where unpackaged, locally sourced produce demonstrated sustainable consumption.

A tour of the historic Winkelmann restaurant building, a 400-year-old structure that has been carefully renovated to extend its lifecycle, showcasing resource preservation in action.

A deep dive into composting and material recycling processes, highlighting ways to keep resources in use longer.

These hands-on experiences made abstract concepts tangible and sparked ideas that participants could take back to their own organisations.

Inner development meets climate action

The second day introduced the pressing issue of climate change, starting with a climate quiz to challenge pre-conceptions and inspire positive action. The group explored how companies can implement climate strategies, emphasising the interconnectedness of mitigation, adaptation and behaviour change.

The group then focused on organisational transformation, guided by the Inner Development Goals (IDG). Participants worked through exercises that translated the programme’s insights into actionable strategies for driving sustainable change in their organisations.

Throughout the programme, it became clear how deeply intertwined the issues of climate, biodiversity, circular economy and behaviour change are. For example, circular economy practices help reduce CO2 emissions, while behavioural change helps address Scope 3 emissions – the largest source of carbon footprints for many organisations.

Community, nature and culinary experiences

One of the most distinctive elements of Hello Transformation is the immersive outdoor learning environment at Gut Einern. Participants explored the permaculture farm, picked salads from the vertical farm and cooked meals together, combining education with a sense of community. Each meal was thoughtfully linked to the themes of the programme. With a focus on collaboration and intercultural competence, the group prepared and enjoyed dishes from every continent and tried unique and experimental dishes such as ramen made with oak leaves.

Looking Ahead

The October 2024 session of Hello Transformation demonstrated the power of combining theoretical knowledge with practical, nature-based experiences. From exploring biodiversity to tackling climate change, participants left with fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and a strong network of like-minded peers.

As this successful second run wraps up, we are excited to announce that new opportunities to join Hello Transformation in 2025 are available as of now. Our upcoming sessions will continue to combine impactful content, transformative community experiences, and the inspiring setting of Gut Einern.