Metachrysalis Changemaker Community is a three-month pilot bringing together people already doing meaningful work across the Fraser Lowland - from Hope through Greater Vancouver down to the Border.
We're exploring a different approach to supporting changemakers: one that prioritizes relationships and learning alongside action, that uses collaborative and playful methods to build community, and that recognizes the people already weaving our communities together.
This isn't a typical grant program. It's an invitation to learn together, discover what's possible when we're not working alone, and build networks that last beyond any single project. Rather than asking "How do I stand out?", Metachrysalis invites: "How do we support one another in doing the work that wants to happen here?"
From January through March 2026, participants will connect through online gatherings, in-person collaborative sessions, and a shared community space. Some will have opportunities to design and carry out locally-rooted projects with direct funding support.
The Fraser Lowland is one of the most ecologically rich and culturally diverse regions on the continent. It's also facing real pressures - housing crises, ecosystem decline, social fragmentation, climate impacts.
But it's also full of people already working on solutions. People tending land, growing food, creating gathering spaces, teaching skills, organizing neighbors, holding cultural knowledge, and experimenting with new ways of living together.
These efforts often happen in isolation. We believe something powerful becomes possible when they can see each other, learn together, and discover what they share.
This pilot is an exploration in what that looks like - in building community, not just reacting to crisis.
Rather than traditional top-down grantmaking, Localism uses collaborative decision-making. Participants help shape the process, share what they're learning, and - for those going deeper - use sociocratic methods to choose who receives project funding.
We're blending playful, participatory approaches with real support for real work. Think: storytelling, collaborative sensemaking, peer learning, and tangible resources to make things happen.
Localism works as three expanding circles of engagement. You choose how deep you want to go.
The Community (Everyone Welcome) Anyone interested joins our Discord community space with access to online gatherings, shared resources, and connection with others doing related work across the Fraser Lowland. This is a wide-open invitation to anyone committed to community care and showing up with integrity.
The Intensives (up to 32 Participants)
From the broader community, stewards invite up to 32 people into deeper facilitated sessions happening throughout February. These are the people who'll participate in collaborative workshops, develop project ideas together, and practice shared decision-making.The 32 are selected across eight domains of work - from ecosystem care to community organizing to collaborative leadership.To be considered for the 32, you'll complete a participant profile and either bring a project idea or commit to developing one through the collaborative process.
The Funded Projects (from 6-8 Projects)
Through the collaborative sessions, participants (ideally one representing each domain) will be selected to receive $2,500 each.The final shape emerges from what the group discovers makes most sense together, it might be domain specific, it might be cross-pollinated. .Rather than top-down selection, the 32 participants use a collaborative decision-making process to choose who receives funding based on shared criteria and project potential. This isn't about winning - it's a peer-led process where participants support each other in bringing forward the strongest work for our region. This process, called sociocratic selection, means everyone has a voice in shaping how resources flow. It's about building trust and shared ownership, not competing for limited spots.
Metachrysalis Changemaker Community is a project of Metachrysalis, a process supporting changemakers and community-building across bioregions.
Metachrysalis uses collaborative frameworks, game-inspired methods, and relationship-building to help people connect their efforts into living networks of mutual support. We work at the intersection of play, learning, and real-world community transformation.
This Fraser Lowland pilot is one experiment in what that looks like in practice.
Learn more about Metachrysalis →
January 2026
Nominations and applications open. Accepted participants join the Localism community with access to gatherings and connection.
February 2026
Up to 32 participants engage in deeper collaborative sessions - facilitated gatherings to explore challenges together, build relationships, and develop project ideas. The group uses collaborative decision-making to select participants for project funding.
March 2026
6-8 participants receive $2,500 each to carry out one-month projects rooted in their communities. Everyone continues learning and supporting each other.
Beyond March
The community continues. We gather to reflect, celebrate what emerged, and explore how to keep supporting each other's work. What we learn shapes future rounds and possibilities.
This pilot is held by a small team supported by community stewards who bring diverse knowledge and connections across the region.
You can learn more about the stewards holding each domain. →
This pilot is supported by Localism Fund, which backs community-led experiments in local resilience and regeneration.
As part of exploring transparent and participatory approaches, project funding will be distributed using open blockchain infrastructure. This means funding flows are publicly visible and participants maintain ownership of their participation records. We're treating this as one experiment among many - learning what works and what doesn't as we go.
We'd love to hear from you.