Abstract
In a sustainable society, there is a growing need for institutional structures that not only raise awareness but actively support transformation. This includes developing ways of perceiving, imagining and enabling alternative futures – particularly in response to changing consumption patterns and the need for resource-conscious, sufficiency-oriented lifestyles and economic models.
At the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, we initiated a project funding platform that enables students and staff to implement project ideas aimed at fostering a culture of sufficiency and regenerative practices. The platform was developed in response to a recurring challenge: while motivation and ideas are plentiful, structural support for implementation is often lacking. In addition to financial contributions, projects can be connected to institutional support offers such as Smart-up, the university’s internal entrepreneurship programme, providing access to coaching and advisory services.
Between April and May 2025, we carried out an initial Open Call and piloted the core concept of the platform. The platform is conceived as a flexible and evolving structure – a concept shaped collectively and continuously reimagined. After the jury process in June, a first round of projects was funded. In this workshop we will share these early insights and learnings from this first round. Together with participants, we will explore meaningful funding mechanisms and reflect on crucial frameworks : How can such a platform remain financially viable in the long term? What kind of criteria should guide future calls to ensure alignment with the university’s values and sustainability commitments?
Participants will co-create funding strategies that serve both the supported projects and the platform’s long-term development. Through guided exercises, we will reflect on how sustainability should be defined institutionally, what worked well in our first call, and which mechanisms encourage inclusive, low-threshold access.
About the Authors:
**Karina Kaindl **studied Anthropology, Economics and Geography at the University of Basel. She previously curated exhibitions, worked as project coordinator and research associate at an International Organisation, and as project officer at a philanthropic foundation focusing on promoting projects in the Global South. After several study and research stays in Ghana, Bolivia, Peru, China and India she joined the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art in 2012 and is responsible for sustainability, quality and international relations.
Michael Speranza is a designer, teacher, and researcher at HSLU DFK. He leads the Nodo Creative Hub, works with the Competence Center Transformation Design, and helps develop the new BA in Transformation & Sustainability. He co-initiated the Basislager Nachhaltigkeit platform and contributes to sustainability@dfk. Beyond HSLU, he is a social designer at Sentitreff Luzern. He holds a BA in Graphic Design (Fachklasse Grafik Luzern) and an MA in Eco-Social Design; his poster work has won multiple international awards.
Contact: michael.speranza@hslu.ch
