Regenerative economy

Don’t just sustain.
Regenerate.

The regenerative economy is a new paradigm that brings together the economic models compatible with regenerating natural and social systems. There is no official list, but a broad consensus on which currents belong to it.

Discover how

A broad umbrellaYou don’t need to be a cooperative or a social-economy entity. Any organization willing to leave the territory, its ecosystems and its people better off than before belongs here.

The paradigm shift

The paradigm shift

It isn’t about being “better”, but about widening the radius of what you take into account. Each circle contains the previous one: being regenerative means you already embrace the social & solidarity view, the circular one and the baseline of doing no harm. The extractive economy stays outside —it is the antithesis.

4 3 2 1
4
Regenerativerestores & grows capital
3
Social & solidaritydistributes value better
2
Circularkeeps resources in use
1
Sustainablereduces harm · neutral
Extractive (conventional)extracts value · degrades — antithesis · outside the paradigm
A simplified map

The currents that fit in

These currents make up —or feed— the regenerative paradigm. Each mainly expresses one level; the stars show how strongly it fits.

Doughnut economics

The model’s compass: a social foundation and an ecological ceiling. Thrive in the safe and just space between them.

Regenerative

Regenerative agriculture

Regenerates soils, boosts biodiversity, captures CO₂, holds water and restores ecosystems.

Regenerative

Permaculture

Design inspired by nature to produce in a regenerative, self-sufficient way.

Regenerative

Social & solidarity economy

The social pillar. It puts people, democracy, decent work and community at the centre.

Social & solidarity

Economy for the common good

Companies assessed by dignity, solidarity, justice and democracy. Not “how much profit?” but “what did you give society?”.

Social & solidarity

Cooperative economy

Democratic ownership and decision-making: member-owners govern the company (one person, one vote).

Social & solidarity

Local / proximity economy

Shortens circuits and roots value in the territory, cutting dependency and footprint.

Social & solidarity

Impact economy

Measures and maximises positive impacts on environment, health, education, cohesion and jobs.

Social & solidarity

Collaborative economy

Sharing and reusing resources (well-oriented), extending their useful life.

Social & solidarity

Circular economy

Materials that never become waste and circulate indefinitely. Not polluting isn’t enough —we must restore natural capital.

Circular

Blue economy

Gunter Pauli’s idea: nature produces no waste. Industrial processes inspired by ecosystems.

Circular

Sustainable bioeconomy

Replaces fossil resources with renewable biological ones: biomaterials, bioplastics, biomass, biotech.

Circular
The one question

Does economic activity leave the territory, the ecosystems and people better off than before?

Many call it a “meta-economy”: a framework that integrates and coordinates transformative models instead of competing with them. Any activity —a cooperative, a company or a public body— can be designed to generate net positive impact.

There’s a place for you

Cooperative, company or administration: if you want to regenerate, this ecosystem is yours.

Join the ecosystem