[Inter]ACT! Forum

With the support of the STaR competence center, the first [Inter]ACT! Forum for Feminist and Socio-Ecological Economics and Practice took place on the last weekend of June.

Under the theme “Creating Common Futures,” more than 70 participants spent four days at Wildegg Castle in the Vienna Woods. The goal of the student-organized forum was to bring to life a utopia based on feminist and ecological ideals, in addition to offering specialized workshops.

The 13 students in the Master’s program in Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy (SEEP) at WU began planning last winter. Their goal was to create a space for learning that unlike academic conferences is inclusive, practice-oriented, and affordable. Instead of hierarchies between experts and learners or between the organizing team and the participants, the focus was on a mutual exchange of knowledge and a broad sharing of the necessary care work. Thanks to special funding from the STaR competence center, as well as other funding programs, 14 participants were able to attend at a solidarity price of 30€ and 5 participants received free “Community Tickets” intended for systematically discriminated-against and disadvantaged minorities. Even standard tickets priced at 80€ were very affordable, enabling a diverse group of people including students, wage earners, and those without employment to participate.

With a total of 14 workshops spread over Friday and Saturday, participants were offered a packed program. Friday, featuring guests such as Alyssa Schneebaum and Verena Kettner, was marked by feminist critiques of the current economic system and the development of progressive alternatives and utopian visions. There was also an exchange of experiences with Sigrid Stagl on discussion strategies in less feminist contexts, as well as workshops on awareness-raising concepts and food democracy. With workshops on “Money Trauma” by Miho Soon, narratives for post-growth with Konrad Bertram, and Katy Shields’ “Money Collage,” Saturday also focused on socio-ecological approaches that complement feminist economics. But there were also practical sessions on feminist workshop methods and food rescue, as well as artistic activities focused on ecofeminist art and a rage dance session.

The [Inter]ACT! Forum 2026 was a space for active solidarity and collaborative exchange of knowledge, experiences, and skills. The forum is scheduled to take place again next year, hopefully once more with the support of the STaR competence center.