Francisco González, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The first-ever Vikalp Sangam (alternatives confluence) in north-east India, comprising 8 states with an enormous ecological, cultural and economic diversity, was organised on 10-12 September at Chizami village, Nagaland. It was hosted by North East Network (NEN), a feminist network focusing on gender, livelihoods, environment, food/agriculture and crafts. The Sangam brought together about 50 people from five or north-eastern states and some from elsewhere in India. Challenges of destructive development, hegemony of the central government, erosion of cultural identity and diversity, lack of livelihood options for the youth, and ecological / climate-related devastation were discussed briefly. Most of the days were spent on descriptions of grounded responses and alternatives to these, what more needs to be done, and what kinds of collaborations within and outside the region would aid in this. Visits were also made to NEN’s worksites, and a farmers’ market it is supporting.

Deccan Vikalp Sangam was held at Deccan Development Society, Zahirabad from 7-9th August, 2025. The key objectives of this Sangam were: * Highlight the unique ecology and cultural attributes of the Deccan bioregion and develop understanding on the contrasts with mainstream development initiatives that have been promoted in the region. * Brainstorm on the current and upcoming challenges (in areas like Food & agriculture, water, pastoralism & livestock, crafts & culture and climate change) ahead for the bioregion and initiate dialogue on locally rooted solutions towards addressal and adaptation. * Celebrate local knowledge systems and cultural diversity (and syncretic practices) that are unique to the Deccan bio-region.

The Credit and Economic AlternativesAre activities and initiatives, concepts, worldviews, or action proposals by collectives, groups, organizations, communities, or social movements challenging and replacing the dominant system that perpetuates inequality, exploitation, and unsustainabiity. In the GTA we focus primarily on what we call "radical or transformative alternatives", which we define as initiatives that are attempting to break with the dominant system and take paths towards direct and radical forms of political and economic democracy, localised self-reliance, social justice and equity, cultural and knowledge diversity, and ecological resilience. Their locus is neither the State nor the capitalist economy. They are advancing in the process of dismantling most forms of hierarchies, assuming the principles of sufficiency, autonomy, non-violence, justice and equality, solidarity, and the caring of life and the Earth. They do this in an integral way, not limited to a single aspect of life. Although such initiatives may have some kind of link with capitalist markets and the State, they prioritize their autonomy to avoid significant dependency on them and tend to reduce, as much as possible, any relationship with them. Sangam, convened under the banner of the Vikalp Sangam process, brought together over 100 practitioners, researchers, activists, and grassroots organisations from across India. Held at the southernmost tip of the country, the event focused on co-learning and co-creating pathways for financial autonomy, just credit systems, and sustainable economic alternatives — especially from the perspective of women and marginalised communities. Hosted by Mahalir Association for Literacy Awareness and Rights (MALAR) with support of All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOC) and in partnership with Timbaktu collective, Centre for Financial Accountability, and others, this Sangam combined field experiences, critical dialogue, and collective reflection grounded in the five petals of the Flower of Transformation. https://vikalpsangam.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Credit-and-Economic-Alternatives-Sangam-2025.pdf

Vikalp Sangam is hosting a course on Puriverse of Alternatives.

Drawing from the diverse experiences and accumulated wisdom of the Vikalp Sangam group, this online course is open to all, above 18 years of age, interested in building a life-affirming future for all living beings. In this course, participants will learn with thinkers, act with practitioners but also reflect and introspect on how one can adopt alternatives in your life and work.

Illustrated version of framework note

The Search for Radical Alternatives: Key Aspects and Principles is an evolving document currently in its 7th Avatar also referred to as the Alternatives Framework note. Its printed booklet Vikalp Sangam: The Search for Alternatives is also available. The Framework Note has been translated into Malayalam and Hindi.

https://vikalpsangam.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Framework-Note-Illustrated-2025.pdf

An offshoot of the VSVikalp Sangam (India) process, the South Asia Bioregionalism Working Group continues its exploration of biocultural visioning and dialogue across the region. A document ‘South Asia as a Subcontinent of Biocultural Regions: The View in 2100’, as a futuristic thinkpiece, has been finalised and is being designed for publication. Collaboration with the platform r3.0 had led to some online sessions and participation in its dialogue series.

With a view to expanding the scope of networking and collaborations beyond India, a South Asia level confluence process is being explored. An exploratory planning meeting with groups from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India is planned for October 2025.