Holis North Star

Csórompuszta, Hungary
9-15 September, 2024

Application deadline 31 May.

This year Holis celebrates its 10th anniversary. We will try something new, a slightly different format that allows us to have more discussions, more connections and hopefully more actions.

‍If you are working on programs or projects that aim to improve people's lives, you are most probably in the business of change. And change is hard. Change is hard due to the comfort of familiarity, the fear of failure, threats to identity, or loss of control and social influences. 

After running Holis School for the last decade, alongside working with numerous other partners from business, the nonprofit sector and civil society, we see four aspects that are present in almost every successful project. It’s not the qualification of the team members, it’s not the size of the budget and it’s not the extensive planning. It’s the right intention, the right attitude, the relationships, and luck. ‍

The main issue we want to discuss with you is the lack of a unified vision and coordinated efforts among organisations striving for social change. Despite the shared goal of making the world a better place, these organisations often work in isolation, leading to fragmented efforts and limited impact.

We wish to change this siloed approach to social change. We believe that systemic change can only be achieved through collective action, where practitioners meet theorists, the civil sector meets the public sector, and meaningful collaborations are formed.

Holis North Star is based on our 10 years of experience working with changemakers, where we’ve observed a “collective imagination crisis”. There’s a demand for an event where social change actors can discuss their vision, what’s working, and what’s not. Through the Holis North Star we aim to provide a platform for these discussions, fostering relationships and connections that lead to coordinated efforts for systemic change.‍

The Holis North Star format is based on the principles of collective intelligence design. Our goal is to bring the diverse perspectives of experts and participants so we can become smarter together.

You will start your day with an optional yoga session and a healthy breakfast.
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Before lunch, you will hear thought-provoking presentations and engage in discussions with our experts.

After lunch, you will work in small teams to gain a deeper understanding of the topics discussed.

By the end of Holis North Star, together we will create a manifesto that will govern our actions for the next year.

We are looking forward to welcome back the Holis Alumni and our partners of the previous 10 years to this special event. We are also inviting you if the topic resonates with you.

Holis is a non-profit endeavor, made possible by volunteer work and support from sponsors and grants. Your contribution is essential to making it happen. We ask participants pay as much as possible within the following ranges.

Corporate / professional: €800-1000
(Self)Employed / Freelancer: €700-800
Student / Unemployed: €600-700
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‍Every year we offer scholarships (50% discount), and this time we are supporting 3 participants. Check the FAQ for more information.

The price includes access to experts, materials, teamwork, delicious food, accommodation, and the venue. It does not include travel costs or insurance. To minimize our environmental impact, we encourage participants to travel by bus or train.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel up to four weeks before the start of the event, we will refund 70% of the participation fee. If you cancel four weeks or less before the start of the event, there will be no refund. In exceptional situations, we will allow for a replacement. We do everything possible to not cancel any of our events, however, in the event that we have to cancel due to insufficient participants or funding, you will be refunded in full.

1. Don't be an asshole

2. No bullshit

3. Be useful

The application process for Holis School includes several steps, and we evaluate applications 7 days after they're submitted. If you're selected, you'll need to pay 50% of the fee within 5 days to secure your spot, with the remaining 50% due 30 days before the program begins.

This is a limited space venue and we expect places will go quick so don't hesitate to apply as soon as you can. We will close the application once we are full.

Step 1: Application - Express your interest in participating and provide basic personal information. In your motivation letter, explain why you want to attend Holis, what you hope to gain from the experience, your relevant experiences, what interests you about the topic of this year, and how you can contribute to the program. In your CV or project portfolio, present relevant projects you've been part of. The project portfolio should be a one-page document.

Step 2: Video Chat - Shortlisted applicants will have a 30-minute interview with us to get to know each other better and answer any questions.

Step 3: Selection of participants

Our approach sets us apart from similar events. We prioritise your well-being and learning by providing a natural setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city, delicious meals, opportunities for sports & leisure activities, and typical summer experiences.

This time, we will be hosted by a unique place called Csórompuszta located in the beautiful surroundings of the Balaton Uplands. This is a special place that we as organisers have a history with and are very happy to get back here.

‍Food
We are famous for our healthy
meals made with mostly local ingredients.

Accommodation
Holis has a summer school vibe that is also reflected in our room sharing set up. We will have some rooms with 2-4 people arrangements and we will have bigger halls for sleeping. Our first workshop will be about creating private spaces in the halls using textiles. We are confident you will enjoy this.

‍How to get there
‍There is direct bus from Budapest that takes about 2 hours to get there. ‍