TL;DR

Since 2023, ReFi Local Nodes have been a growing catalyst for local regeneration around the world. With the Local Node Beta Incubator kicking off on March 5th, we aim to further support this community and foster the emergence of a new wave of Local Nodes globally - the Beta Cohort. This is an open invitation for you, ReFi Leader, to join the movement towards a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for all.

The Journey So Far 💫

Following the resounding success of our Local Node Alpha Incubator - which fostered the emergence of 14 Local Nodes, helped raise $55k of funding in two Local Node Featured rounds on Gitcoin Grants, supported the organization of 30+ events and a diverse array of local node projects from tree planting to circular economy to project incubation - we are thrilled to launch the second edition of the ReFi Local Node Incubator.

ReFi DAO's vision is to foster the further creation of successful Local Nodes around the world, each a testament to the power of community and collaboration in the face of global challenges.

Read more about Local Nodes' impact in 2023 👇

Introducing The Beta Cohort Incubator 🌱

The Local Node Beta Cohort Incubator is a program specifically designed to support the initiation, development, and growth of Local Nodes within the context of Regenerative Finance (ReFi). It is structured as an 8-week-long curriculum aimed at equipping new and existing Local Nodes with the necessary knowledge, tools, and community support to effectively initiate local ecosystems of regeneration. The incubator will focus on various aspects of running a Local Node, including but not limited to facilitation skills, organizing impactful events, exploring innovative revenue streams and fundraising strategies, understanding the technicalities of on-chain finance, and utilizing a toolkit of essential resources tailored for Local Node operation.

By fostering the creation of Local Nodes around the world, the ReFi Local Node Incubator aims to craft solutions that are both impactful and sustainable, contributing to the broader vision of a regenerative economy. The Beta cohort specifically refers to a particular session or iteration of the incubator, signaling an ongoing process of refinement and development in the program's approach to supporting Local Nodes.

Who Is It For? 🤔

The first session of the Incubator is for anyone who wants to learn about Local Nodes. After this open session, interested participants will be prompted to apply to become a ReFi Local Node, and in this way will gain access to the remaining sessions. To summarise, the Beta Incubator is designed for anyone who has registered interest in becoming a ReFi Local Node, is already running a Local Node, or is aspiring to apply.

Join the first session to learn more 👇

A Peak At The Curriculum 🧭

Taking inspiration from People Powered Money, the session curriculum will flow sequentially through several key themes that form the foundations for understanding and setting up an effective ReFi Local Node:

• WHY - What is this all about? What is ReFi? What is a Local Node (its purpose), where has this come from?
• WHO - Stakeholders, levels of the system, and network structure (Global and Local CoordiNATION - from Macro to Mezzo to Micro)
• WHAT - The tech, tools, and solutions. Meeting local needs with local resources and fostering regeneration in the economy means working with systems for coordinating capital, currency and resource flows.
• HOW - From running small scale events, to ecosystem building, to facilitating coordination across multi-stakeholder and bioregional coalitions in cyclical processes of civic innovation, regeneration and adaptation - each requires technical knowledge, skills and know-how to do successfully.

From this overarching structure, each individual session will be designed to empower participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to kickstart and run a successful ReFi Local Node. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises for co-designing solutions with their communities through facilitation skills and organizing impactful events. The journey will continue through exploring innovative revenue streams and fundraising strategies, the technicalities of on-chain finance and a toolkit of essential resources tailored for Local Node operation.

Join session 1 to learn more on the full schedule and curriculum! 👇

Inside the First Session - Uniting for Regeneration 🌱✨

Kicking off on March 5th, the first session of the ReFi Local Node Incubator will serve as a comprehensive introduction to the program, setting the stage for what participants can expect as they embark on their journey towards fostering regenerative financial systems. Led by Anna Kaic - the Local Node Lead at ReFi DAO, in collaboration with Scott Morris - the TokenJedi in Residence with 15 years experience as a political economist and systems engineer, and Jeremy (Creative Destruction) Akers - master of Liberating Structures and founder of WiseCrowds DAO, alongside various guest speakers, this session will delve into the essence of Regenerative Finance (ReFi) and the pivotal role of Local Nodes.

The session will also cover the core objectives of the incubator, outlining how it aims to support nodes at all stages through a modular, choose-your-own-adventure course structure. Attendees will be introduced to essential tools and resources and participants will gain a deeper understanding of ReFi's principles, how it aims to create virtuous cycles of value, and the critical role Local Nodes play in translating these concepts into tangible community-led actions. This first session is not just an introduction but a call to action for all those interested in being at the forefront of the regenerative finance movement, setting the tone for a journey of learning, development, and community building. Come get involved! 👇

Uniting for Regeneration 🗺️

We believe in the power of community-based regeneration as a pathway to a sustainable future for all. This is why the first session of the Local Node Beta Cohort is open to the community, offering a glimpse into the curriculum and the journey ahead. This session is your opportunity to understand what it takes to kickstart a successful Local Node, to learn about the upcoming sessions, and to see how you can apply to become part of this transformative experience.

Join us for the first session, "Uniting for Regeneration" and take the first step towards becoming a pivotal part of a global network of Local Nodes dedicated to the principles of regeneration.