Change at the limit. What now? – Conference organized by IÖW and VÖW explores answers
Opening panel of the conference “Change at the limit. What now?” with input from Katja Kipping (photo: Gordon Welters/IÖW)
How can social change be shaped when crises are on the rise and trust in political processes is dwindling? This question was the focus of the conference “Change at the Limit. What Now?”, hosted by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research and the Association for Ecological Economy Research in Berlin on October 9, 2025. Around 120 participants from research, politics, civil society, and the media explored ways to advance social and ecological change in a fair, democratic, and collaborative manner.
A new beginning despite helplessness
Thomas Korbun, Scientific Director of the IÖW, opened the conference by talking about the “shared feeling of helplessness” in the face of multiple crises – from climate to democracy. Nevertheless, according to Korbun, there is positive energy at the IÖW “because we have the right topics and partners.” The aim, said Korbun, is to tell the story of change differently and to find ways together to get the ship back on course.
Laudatory speech: 40 years of IÖW and VÖW – challenging, unifying, humorous
In his laudatory speech on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of IÖW and VÖW, Professor Kai Niebert, President of the German Nature Conservation Union (DNR), praised the institute as a “silverback with attitude.” Since its beginnings in the days of “organic shop romanticism,” IÖW and VÖW have repeatedly shaped social debates – from ecological economics to social innovation.
Niebert recommended more modesty in the discourse on transformation: “Transformation sounds like a magic spell, but it frightens many people.” The key, he said, is to think less about the what and more about the how – with concrete answers and a focus on people. His wish for the IÖW: “Keep challenging, stay connecting, and stay humorous.”
Transformation between courage and excessive demands
In the subsequent panel discussion, Katja Kipping, Managing Director of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, Dagmar Schmidt, Chair of the Board of the Lausitzer Perspektiven association, DNR President Kai Niebert, and IÖW transformation researcher Florian Kern discussed the political, social, and economic management of transformation. Kipping emphasized the close interconnection between climate and social policy. A political framework is needed to ensure that commitment to climate protection does not become a financial burden.
Schmidt pointed to the challenges in structurally weak regions, where people perceive the state as incapable of action. Niebert urged that fears of transformation be taken seriously and social infrastructures be strengthened. Kern emphasized that transformation is always political and must be actively managed in order to balance out winners and losers. He stressed that the status quo is anything but fair and that transformation offers the opportunity to shape a better and more just future.
There was agreement that new alliances are necessary – even uncomfortable ones. Kipping advocated for “emotional door openers” and a willingness to engage in conversation beyond one's own milieu. “In this matter,” she said, decisiveness is needed in regulation and no fear of lobbyists. In everyday conversations, however, people should treat each other with more kindness, understanding, openness, and laughter and “be happy that we are different,” according to Kipping.
Allow emotions, dare to form uncomfortable alliances
Jasmin Scholtbach from the youpan youth forum, Simon Teune from the Institute for Protest and Social Movement Research, Baro Vicenta Ra Gabbert from Greenpeace Germany, and Lukas Scholle, editor-in-chief of Surplus magazine, reflected on the conference with its three exploratory workshop strands on justice and solidarity in times of change, democratic innovations in polarized times, and alternative economies in times of crisis.
Teune warned of a “loss of democratic substance” and called for alliances across sectors – including journalism – to be strengthened and realigned in terms of democratic policy. Gabbert advocated providing space for emotions and using simple language to help civil society stick together. Scholle emphasized the economic policy dimension: Actors in alternative economic systems must be prepared when windows of opportunity for better framework conditions open up. Scholtbach emphasized the importance of education for sustainable development in teaching creative skills in change processes.
The conference made it clear that social change requires confidence, dialogue, and structures capable of action – but also the courage to venture into new and uncomfortable alliances.
