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The training ground for global changemakers.

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The School for Changemakers is a place for people who feel the pull to make a meaningful difference in the world – and want the skills, clarity, and community to actually do it.

Change doesn’t begin with alterations, mending or editing of existing thinking. It begins with people who are deeply connected to themselves, to others, to the living world around them and see things differently. At the School for Changemakers, we bring together timeless wisdom, real-world strategy, and hands-on action to cultivate the next generation of leaders, innovators, and movement builders.

Our approach is practical, grounded, and transformative. Rather than only talking about change, we train people to create it.

Our Learning Journey

Connect to Self & Nature
Lasting change begins with connectedness. We start by helping you reconnect with your inner compass and the natural systems that sustain life. Through reflection, embodied practices, and ecological understanding, you develop the clarity and resilience needed to lead meaningful change.

Understand How Change Works in the Real World
Change can happen slowly but when the catalyst triggers are identified it can be swift and effective. Our society, our economies, our global environments are deeply interconnected and at their heart are the actions of people. We explore how real transformation happens – from grassroots movements to worldwide shifts – equipping you with the thinking and tools that will can build a new way for the world.

Realise Your Potential by Making Change
You discover who you are by doing the work. Through guided experimentation and real-world challenges, you begin stepping into your role as a changemaker, building confidence, leadership capacity, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.

Turn Ideas into Tangible Action
Ideas are powerful, but action creates impact. We support you in shaping your ideas into initiatives, projects, and ventures that respond to real needs. With mentorship and collaborative learning, you develop the tools to move from vision to reality.

Create Swift and Effective Impact
The world needs change that is both bold and practical. Our training focuses on effective approaches and connections to launching and scaling initiatives – helping you design transformative projects & enterprises that can move quickly, adapt, and create meaningful results in the real world.

The Course Outcome

At the School for Changemakers, you won’t just study change – you will practice it, live it, and learn how to lead it.

Whether you are an emerging leader, an innovator with a bold idea, or someone seeking your place in shaping a better future, this is a space to explore, experiment, and grow alongside others who believe change is possible.

Led by experienced global changemakers, the course opens new ways of seeing the world — and empowers you to help create the future you want to see.

This is your training ground for real-world impact.

Students who successfully complete the course requirements, including the practicum, will be recognised as SfC Changemakers. Graduates receive a personalised Course Reference and become eligible to join the Terra Nova Foundation Changemaker Network, connecting them with a growing community of people around the world working to create meaningful change.

Course Schedule for July 2026 Intake

Weekly Tuition
Mondays & Tuesdays 5.30pm – 7pm (online or in person)

Start date Block 1:  13th July 2026
End date Block 1:   21st August 2026

Date of 1st full day Intensive (in person):   22nd August 2026

Start date Block 2:  7th September 2026
End date Block 2: 16th October 2026

Date of 2nd full day Intensive (in person):   17th October 2026

Practicum 
Supported applied learning with Course Deliverers.
One-to-One timings to be agreed with each student.

Practicum Start Date:   22nd Aug 2026
Practicum Completion Date:   10th Dec 2026

Registration Form: Click here

Course Leads

  • Rose Challies, Principal Changemaker
  • Josh Hough, Principal Changemaker
  • Gloria della Porta, Senior Changemaker

Supported by:

  • International Practice Fellows across industries
  • Visiting Changemakers from around the world (in person and online).

FAQs

Who is the School for Changemakers for?

For people driven to make a difference in the world and are 18 years old or older.

You may be coming out of school, studying at university or other tertiary education, wanting to switch to a more meaningful work career, parenting or starting an enterprise or many other situations.

There are no prerequisite papers or qualifications; we are most interested in what you want to do going forward.

Our Earth needs changemakers now.

How long does it take?

The School for Changemakers runs 6 monthly programmes starting in February and July, with two 6 week blocks of learning followed by a supported changemaking practicum.

The programme includes:

  • Tuition over the 6 month period both online and in person.
  • Mentoring support for initiatives
  • 2x in-person day intensives
  • An online community filled with resources, links, reading materials
  • Connections to leading industry experts and network opportunities who can support your action or enterprise
How much does it cost?

The course fees include all tuition (onsite and online), Practicum one-to-one support, access to resources, expert network & mentoring, for the 6 month course:

Fees for New Zealand residents are: NZ$1,799

Fees for International students are: NZ$5,397

All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any additional course-related expenses.

There are limited scholarships available for people in financially challenging situations. Please send an email to info@schoolforchangemakers to enquire.

Please note there is a cancellation fee of NZ$150 if you withdraw within two weeks of the course start date. For cancellations prior to this time there is an administration fee of NZ$50. Cancellations require an email with confirmed receipt stating your withdrawal to info@schoolforchangemakers.

What time commitment is required?

The weekly commitment is 5 hours (3 hours tuition, 2 hours own work), with 2 one day, in-person intensives.

All tuition will be available in person and online.

The two in-person intensives are required for completion of the course and will be held in Central Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Are there entry requirements?

No, this course is open to all. But you do need to be prepared to go deep into your own potential, engage with challenging material, connect with fellow students and be willing to apply as you learn.

Are there specific materials or course reading required?

We will provide all general learning materials and resources that you will need for completion of the course. For your own recording of notes and insights we encourage you to utilise products that do not harm the planet e.g. pencils instead of plastic pens, FSC/PEFC paper, low energy tech, minimal use of AI enabled tools.

Please note: For the Changemaker Practicum you may decide to secure specific resources for the action you decide to take. We will support you in the finding and acquisition of these resources as much as we can but ultimately the cost will sit with you. In keeping with this, please note that any product/service or profit made from your practicum will also stay with you.

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