"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

Almost anyone working to bring about change in their current situation would agree: operating from our existing assumptions is not producing the results that we know are needed in these times. 

Our current reality highlights a need for us to transcend our blindspots and find new ways of learning, working, and innovating as teams, organizations, and communities.

Are you and your team holding a transformational project or prototype idea? Are you wanting to:

• unlock the full potential of your project?
• transcend old ways of operating?
• keep your team and yourself motivated? 
• connect into a field of fellow-changemakers?

If this strikes a chord, then you are in the right place, at the right time: gather your team, and begin the put your application together.

By the end of the journey, participants will have created new collaborative initiatives that help to bring about more peaceful, sustainable and equitable social systems around the globe.

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Also, you may wish to upgrade to a Verified Certificate: 

You can apply for the upgrade at any moment during the program. Upon verification, you will receive your digital certificate signed by the u-school Faculty (valid for Pathways).

If you have a team and you’re interested to apply, in the sections below you'll be walked through how to prepare your application. You'll need to 1) gather your team, 2) prepare a short simple video to tell us about your prototype idea, intention, and team, and 3) fill out the application form. 

Some things to consider as you prepare your application:

• Applications are for teams, not for individuals. Each team should have a smaller, core convening team of 2-4 people who initiate and take responsibility for leading a larger team through the u-lab 2x journey.
• Does tour convening team has a prototype idea or initiative that you are developing, or are looking to develop, related to at least one of the acupuncture points?
• We know that societal transformation begins with local action. You can then decide whether your team meets completely virtually, or a mix of online and offline, depending on what fits your specific context. 
• Is your team in a position to influence some elements of the system you want to transform? Either as a grassroots activist, an institutional leader, or through some other mechanism of change (e.g., public opinion)?
• Core team members should have previous experience or familiarity with Theory U (u-lab, Presencing Foundation Program, or experience applying the U process) or related methods of awareness-based systems change (Art of Hosting, etc.). 
• Your extended team should include an additional 5-15 people. You don’t need to have this team confirmed to apply, but should confirm their participation by end of January 2024.
• The whole team should be committed to the whole journey (February to May 2024).
• Teams should be committed to share and learn as part of the global community.

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Start of applications: November 14th, 2023
Application Deadline: December 17th, 2023
First live session: February 8th, 2024

While the first live session is on February 8th, teams will be invited to begin moving through the opening modules of the journey by mid-January. Our final live session is on April 4th, and will send teams into the process of implementing their prototype - which may take them into May 2024.

A short video from Florentina Bajraktari about finding and forming a team.

This year we're, excited to roll out an improved application process:

In order to apply this year, teams need to

• Gather a core team together on the u-school.org team space. You can find a team if you don't have one via the team finder. 
• Record and upload an application video This is a short 1-3 minute video that introduces your team, your prototype idea or intention, and why your team is interested in participating in this year's u-lab 2x journey.
• Fill out and submit the application form via the team-space. 

*Returning teams, who have participated in past u-lab 2x cohorts, will complete this same process. And we are also requesting that you submit a new video about the journey and evolution of your team. 

By following the button below, you will be guided to either

1. Invite your team into a dedicated online team space here on u-school.org and submitting your application.
2. Or, expore and connect with existing teams looking for members via the 'Team Finder."
3. Or, creating a new team listing in the "Team Finder" to find others who may want to join your prototype idea or initiative.