ECOSYSTEM
CARDS
CARDS
A tool to deepen your understanding of the status quo, envision desirable futures, and engage with ecosystems more intentionally.
Thinking
in (Eco)systems
in (Eco)systems
Navigating an increasingly complex world requires a seismic shift in the way we understand how change happens and make sense of the environment in which we operate.
Taking an ecosystem perspective and approaching change as an ongoing process of catalyzation helps us to step into the unpredictable dynamics of interconnected systems with more strategic clarity about our role, posture, and key interventions.
We use the term ecosystem to refer to “socio-ecological systems” where diverse and interconnected actors are intricately tied by cultural practices, identities, intentions, roles, beliefs, values, and available resources. Held together by a shared purpose, ecosystems yield societal value that transcends the capacity and intentions of individual actors.
CORE IDEA
The Ecosystem Cards ARE a tool
to support individuals, teams, organizations, and networks to explore the potentials and implications of adopting an ecosystem approach and define pathways to engage with ecosystems more intentionally.
The cards guide you through an iterative, nonlinear process involving three interconnected phases:
Systemic Diagnosis
Deepening understanding of the current state of a particular ecosystem
THE PROCESS
Future work
Envisioning desirable futures
Strategic Experiments
Identifying leverage points and designing strategic interventions to learn more
Learning
forward
forward
Sensemaking and adapting along the way
WHO to play with
HOW TO PLAY WITH THE CARDS
Whilst you can use the cards on your own to spark initial reflections, no one person or organization can think on behalf of an ecosystem. That’s why we recommend inviting other ecosystem actors to reflect together sooner rather than later.
HOW to play
Depending on the context of your work and the readiness within the ecosystem, you will have a sense for how to best use the cards:
(move the slider to explore)
Recognizing that the phases are interconnected and the overall process of playing with the cards is iterative, you can choose to work with the cards in a less or more structured way.
FINDING YOUR FLOW
Less structure?
Simply start with the card or phase that feels most relevant for now and see where it takes you.
Simply start with the card or phase that feels most relevant for now and see where it takes you.
More structure?
Try our recommended process for working through the whole deck (see instructions inside the deck).
Try our recommended process for working through the whole deck (see instructions inside the deck).
Whatever shape your game takes, here are some tips to ensure a smooth experience while playing with the Ecosystem Cards.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Be Mindful of Complexity
Before getting started, make sure you and your counterparts feel familiar enough with fundamental concepts around working with complexity and ecosystems.
Take Enough Time
It will never feel like there is enough time and sometimes a bit of time pressure can be helpful. Depending on your intentions for working with the cards, try to set aside a “good enough” amount of time to be able to lean into the process and see where it takes you.
Find Your Own Way
The goal is not to answer every question on every card! Use the cards and the questions that feel most relevant to piece together different dimensions and deepen your collective understanding of the whole.
Build Bridges between Phases
Each phase requires a different state of mind (and body). It is important to find ways to step out of one phase and into another. For example, by taking a restorative break to let ideas sink in or enjoying a creative activity to wake up our capacity to dream and reimagine.
Questions-based
Each card has a carefully crafted set of starting questions to unlock conversations related to key phases and aspects of ecosystem work.
Each card has a carefully crafted set of starting questions to unlock conversations related to key phases and aspects of ecosystem work.
HOW THE ECOSYSTEM CARDS ARE DESIGNED
01
Tips
Varying from the practical to the more intangible, each card offers tips on what to pay attention to when looking at different parts of the ecosystem.
Varying from the practical to the more intangible, each card offers tips on what to pay attention to when looking at different parts of the ecosystem.
02
Toolbox
Each card refers to further methods and tools you can use to go deeper on a particular topic or issue.
Each card refers to further methods and tools you can use to go deeper on a particular topic or issue.
03
Collection of Resources
At the end of each phase, there is a collection of resources and links for further exploration.
At the end of each phase, there is a collection of resources and links for further exploration.
04
Ecosystem Glossary
Across the deck, you will spot some words and terms that are |highlighted|. You can find definitions and references in the extensive, but non-exhaustive Glossary.
Across the deck, you will spot some words and terms that are |highlighted|. You can find definitions and references in the extensive, but non-exhaustive Glossary.
❊
CLICK HERETO DOWNLOAD
THE CARDS
THE CARDS
GET YOUR DECK
You can access the cards as a .pdf on your desktop or mobile, upload them to an online whiteboard such as Miro, or print out. We recommend printing A6, color, double-sided, 300+ sq/m2.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE CARDS
MADE BY
- ZOYA LUKYANOVAIdea ✻ Content ✻ Methodology
- DARIUS POLOKContent
- INDIRA SHAHContent ✻ Methodology
- NAOMI MARTINContent
- RUSLAN KILDEEVContent ✻ Design ✻ Illustrations
- EVERY USERAs a Contributor
THE CARDS WERE BORN
IN A COLLABORATION
IN A COLLABORATION
resense360 is a consultancy that designs and facilitates transformative learning experiences, strategy processes, and meaningful gatherings. We work with individuals, teams, organizations, networks, and ecosystems. Our fields of expertise include facilitation, change management, systems change, social innovation, impact-driven networks.
As a Do & Think Tank, iac Berlin partners with foundations, academia, public institutions, and locally rooted non-profit organizations to explore and deepen collective and relational approaches in philanthropy. We support organizations and individuals in navigating their roles and contributing to resilient communities, networks, and ecosystems.
Inspiration
& APPRECIATION
& APPRECIATION
In developing the Ecosystem Cards, we drew inspiration from the invaluable theoretical and empirical contributions of many professionals and institutions in the field of systems change, especially those focused on ecosystem building and catalyzation.
Building on their work, we offer the cards as one approach to working with ecosystems, while recognizing there are many others. Indeed, the extensive resources referenced in the cards highlight the wealth of collective knowledge within this growing field!
In particular, we would like to express our gratitude to Acumen Academy, Cynefin Co, Regenesis Institute, School of System Change, Skoll Foundation, The Systems Sanctuary, Tamarack Institute, Wasan Network, and to Dr. Anna Birney, Jean Boulton, Tim Draimin, Tatiana Fraser, Charles Leadbeater, Donella Meadows, Bill Sharpe, Dave Snowden, Prof. Paulo Savaget, Rachel Sinha, Claire Wathen, Jennie Winhall, and Laura Winn.
Building on their work, we offer the cards as one approach to working with ecosystems, while recognizing there are many others. Indeed, the extensive resources referenced in the cards highlight the wealth of collective knowledge within this growing field!
In particular, we would like to express our gratitude to Acumen Academy, Cynefin Co, Regenesis Institute, School of System Change, Skoll Foundation, The Systems Sanctuary, Tamarack Institute, Wasan Network, and to Dr. Anna Birney, Jean Boulton, Tim Draimin, Tatiana Fraser, Charles Leadbeater, Donella Meadows, Bill Sharpe, Dave Snowden, Prof. Paulo Savaget, Rachel Sinha, Claire Wathen, Jennie Winhall, and Laura Winn.
The Ecosystem Cards are published under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
