Connect and share ideas with like-minded people around the world through active networks and informative websites.
Design 21: Social Design Network
The goal of Design 21 is to inspire awareness of social justice through design. The website aims to link people who want to explore different ways in which design can positively improve our world. Here you will find contests, organizations, networks and other opportunities to actively use design to create change.
Visit the Design 21 website
Doors of Perception
This international network spreads knowledge and organizes conferences on the subject of design. The website brings together innovators, entrepreneurs and educators who want to imagine alternative futures - sustainable ones - and take design steps to realize them. The network was founded by John Thackara, author of the book "In the Bubble”.
Visit the network and blog of Doors of Perception
Fast Company
Fast Company is a challenging news website that follows companies and leaders that create change in the business world. The areas they specialize in are technology, design and "ethnomics".
Read more on the Fast Company website
Global ZERI Network
Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives (ZERI) is a global network of people who seek solutions by using Nature's design principles as inspiration (biomimicry). ZERI is also the initiator of Nature’s 100 Best and has a web-based educational programme for children.
Visit the ZERI's website
Read more about Natures 100 Best
Globe Forum
Globe Forum is working to connect social actors for sustainable development. They do this by organizing an annual international meeting place - Globe Forum. They also hand out the Globe Award for exceptionally good initiatives.
Visit the Globe Forum website
IDSA Ecodesign
The International Design Society of America is the U.S. equivalent of SVID and IDSA Ecodesign is their equivalent of the Sustainability Guide. The IDSA Ecodesign website provides detailed information on alternative materials and publishes the educational material in the Ecodesign - Okala Guide.
Visit the website IDSA Ecodesign website
Inhabitat
The future of sustainable design, interior design and architecture is given ample coverage on this website. Substantial news emails and blogs are also provided.
Visit the Inhabitat website
O2 Global Network
This international network is for people who are interested in sustainable design. The active network aims to influence and inspire companies and businesses that see design for sustainable development as an opportunity. The network includes regional hubs, groups and individuals around the world known as O2s. The networks currently bring together contacts in more than 70 countries.
Read more at the O2 Global Network website
Join the O2 Global Network Group on Linked In
O2 Nordic
This Swedish network is for those who are interested in design thinking and design work for sustainable development. Nowadays, the network is open to anyone who has an account on Facebook.
Join Nordic O2 on Facebook (In Swedish)
Rocky Mountain Institute
RMI is a non-profit "think-and-do tank" that works with business development. One of their key areas is to use design as a way of getting companies to operate according to the principles of Natural Capitalism - a fast growing business model that uses environmental improvement as an engine for competitive advantage.
Visit the Rocky Mountain Institute website
Visit Natural Capitalism
Sustainable Insurance and Finance Development
SIND is both a platform and a network with the objective of increasing the contribution and involvement of Swedish financial and insurance companies towards more sustainable community development.
Visit the SIND website
Sustainable Business Hub
Sustainable Business Hub is a network that helps companies with activities in the area of the environment and energy to improve their competitiveness and develop their business in Sweden and in the world export market.
Visit the Sustainable Business Hub website
The Centre for Sustainable Design
CfSD is a non-profit organization that specializes in facilitating discussion and research on eco-design and sustainability issues within product and service development. The centre is located in England but their playing field is global. So far, they have organized over 30 conferences around the world. They also provide training and workshops. If you are interested in sustainability and design, you should know about this organization.
Visit the Centre for Sustainable Design website
The Designers Accord
The Designers Accord aims to change the way creative businesses do their business. They aim to make sustainability a matter of course in all aspects of design and production. The Designers Accord cooperates with Fast Company (see above).
Visit the Designers Accord website
Treehugger
Find news on sustainable development in many areas including green design and architecture. At Treehugger, you will find newsletters, inspiration, blogs, video and radio programmes.
Visit the Treehugger website
Cradle Net
Cradle Net is a Swedish network for those who are interested in nature as a model for innovation and production.
Visit the Cradle Net website (In Swedish)
Read more about Cradle 2 Cradle
Wiser Earth
Here you can quickly search for and get in touch with organizations involved with social justice and sustainable development worldwide. There are over a million organizations in the world working with these issues in different ways. Wiser Earth is a wiki-based network aiming to link all these organizations.
Visit the Wiser Earth website
Listen to the exciting story of how Wiser Earth came to be on Youtube
Worldchanging
Worldchanging brings together ideas and messages from journalists, designers and thinkers worldwide. The goal of the blog is to publish varied and intelligent solutions to world problems. Worldchanging has the support of many global celebrities, including climate campaigner Al Gore.
Visit the Worldchanging website
World Student Community for Sustainable Development
WSC-SD is an international network for students from different disciplines who are interested in dialogue and action for sustainable development. WSC-SD organizes an annual Student Summit for Sustainability where students from different parts of the world have the opportunity to get involved in many exciting projects.
Visit the WSC-SD website