November 20, 2025 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm UTC+0
During the European Gathering, we will discuss the major transitions our society is undertaking.
The day after the Gathering, we will visit a community-led organisation bringing the transition to life. At Civic Square in Birmingham, we will see and feel what a neighbourhood of the future could look like, meeting and speaking with the community leaders who have turned their vision into reality.
Civic Square’s hypothesis is simple but compelling. As systems break down and the pressure for transformative change increases, politicians and other leaders will be forced to look for alternative models. The far-right, authoritarian, xenophobic alternatives are likely to be most successful when there are no alternatives based on progressive values. Civic Square, along other values-aligned, community-led organisations across the country, are at the forefront of place-based community-building, based on the values of democracy, justice, sustainability and human dignity.
Participants will leave the site visit with:
- a better understanding of the role of community-led organisations like Civic Square in demonstrating new models of urban design, relationship-building, community engagement, etc (and the importance of this work in the current context)
- a better understanding of the role of philanthropy, and of wealth-holders more broadly, in supporting this work
- practical next steps to turn these learnings into action
How much is the site visit?
The visit itself is free to Forward Global members; we ask that members purchase their own train tickets to Birmingham.
Where will we meet?
For members based in London, we will meet at London Euston train station around 9.30am (exact timings to be confirmed). We will travel up to Birmingham together by train.
Where can I learn more about Civic Square?
The story of Civic Square is fascinating and deeply hopeful. Earlier this year, they successfully bought the land, after years of stewarding it with methods aligned with principles of a Just Transition.
You can read the full story of the land purchase here, and read more on their website, here.