Open Space: A Shared Learning Arena

Theme: “Straw – an urgent way to a better today”

Open Space is a participatory, self-organised format that fosters collaboration and exchange. It provides a flexible framework for addressing the pressing questions and insights emerging from the world of straw construction.

This year’s Open Space will focus on ideas that help us build better today – practically, politically, and culturally. Sessions are shaped by participants, for participants. Whether you are a practitioner, researcher, campaigner, or policymaker, this is your space to connect, contribute, and co-create.

Sample Themes for Discussion

Sessions may cover a broad range of subjects, including but not limited to:

• Sharing and reviewing recent technical tests and standards
• Effective methods for introducing straw building in primary education
• Forming task groups around regulatory or market challenges
• Self-build and collective construction: lessons learned
• Group facilitation tools to strengthen volunteer participation

How It Works

• Opening Circle: Introduces the core principles and invites everyone to propose discussion topics.
• The Marketplace: All proposals are displayed on a board and the day’s schedule is set collectively.
• Simultaneous Sessions: Multiple sessions occur across different spaces. Participants are free to move between them.
• The Law of Two Feet: If you are neither learning nor contributing, feel free to join another group.
• Final Sharing: A collective gathering to share insights and discuss future steps.

This edition will use a “mixed” format – combining spontaneous, participant-led sessions with some pre-scheduled in response to early proposals.

Guiding Principles

• Whoever comes are the right people.
• Whatever happens is what needed to happen.
• Wherever it happens is the right place.
• When it starts is the right time, when it’s over, it’s over.

Your Role: Active Participant, Butterfly or Bee?

• Butterflies may seem still, but they are often quietly reflecting – and can spark the deepest conversations.
• Bees move between groups, cross-pollinating ideas and insights.

Hosting a Session

Session hosts facilitate or delegate the discussion and are invited to briefly present their group’s outcomes in the final sharing session.

You may reserve a session in advance by writing to:
📧 esbg2025@casasdepaja.org

Or simply propose your idea during The Marketplace at the event.

Come with curiosity. Leave with shared momentum.

Times:*

14:50 – 15:15 Opening circle and Marketplace

15:15 – 16:15  Round 1

16:15 – 16:30 Break – check out the list to see what is in round one, prepare your presentation for the Final Sharing, or visit the exposition or workshops….

16:30 – 17:30 Round 2

17:30 – 18:00 Break – time to prepare the presentation for the the Final Sharing!

18:00 – 18:30 Final Sharing

*Time dedicated to each phase may be changed. If there are many spaces at the same time, we may shorten the breaks and do 3 rounds of 45m, and/or add more time for the Final Sharing.