Are you passionate about innovation and sustainability? Do you want to drive change in your community? Join us, and build your local Boma circle.
The ongoing environmental crisis is humanity’s single greatest challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to design a new world, one that is environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and economically sound.
Boma Circles host weekly or monthly gatherings to identify promising innovations, passionate entrepreneurs, and actionable ideas — uniting all three to scale environmental solutions and work towards meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Boma Community is an open, collaborative network for individuals and students who are interested in identifying local innovations, bridging opposing points of view, and driving change. We are building this open-source platform so you can connect with others, share your impact and successes, and scale solutions that work.
The roots of the word “Boma” date back to Africa — the cradle of humankind — and lie in the languages spoken in the African Great Lakes. The Boma was a circular enclosure for the community and elders to gather, normally built out of branches. It was a sacred space for community gatherings and meaningful discussions to be had, a space where decisions were made, and actions were taken.
To cultivate a rich dialog, your Boma Circle should include people from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. Here are just a few event formats other community members are prototyping.
Click the circles to learn more.
A self-organized community action or event
Boma Circles work to positively impact local schools, towns, and cities. Our goal is to work with you to develop a worldwide network of local ecosystems that help people think differently, solve the world’s most pressing issues, and drive maximum impact both locally and globally.
Students driving action.
To solve global challenges, we need the leaders of tomorrow. If you’re a student who’s passionate about elevating local sustainable innovation and tackling global grand challenges, start a BomaU Circle on your campus.
For youth, by youth.
Formed as school clubs, Boma Youth Circles ensure young people are inspired to champion — and prepared to lead — transformative initiatives. Boma is partnering with the Conrad Foundation to help elevate these Circles. Apply to be part of the Conrad Challenge below.
A meeting of minds.
Campfires are dialogs that are centered on solutions or ideas. They are hosted in a "fishbowl" format and are spaces where the whole community can participate and discuss ongoing problems.
Seeing both sides.
Debates unite people with opposing points of view and attempt to bridge the canyons that divide us. Debate speakers are curated with diversity in mind and are always representative of all the key stakeholders.
Presenting innovations and solutions.
Salons identify community-based entrepreneurial solutions and innovations. Their focus is on scaling and growing the things presented, connecting mentors and funding to innovations, and answering “what’s next?”
Funding innovations and solutions.
These gatherings connect promising local innovators to funding sources, mentors, and strategic partners, helping build the high-growth sustainable businesses the world needs.
Walking the walk.
These events are centered on taking real, meaningful action. Sometimes that means writing to local politicians. Other times, it means hosting community cleanups, participating in a march or protest, or working on protest art projects. These can be hosted as Boma events or in collaboration with like-minded organizations.
Dining and driving change.
These events are a time to relax, break bread together, and have a moderated conversation. A guide (or speaker) will lead attendees in conversation about an idea or issue that is relevant to the community.
Community watch parties.
Want to watch a debate, documentary, or live stream of a Boma event and host a discussion? The Boma viewing parties are the thing for you.
Learn about recent community actions and see what other Boma Circles are up to.
We want to collaborate with
you to identify innovative, effective,
Boma Circle Event formats.
Everyone who is passionate about driving change is welcome to join our community and start a Boma Circle. By starting a Boma Circle, you gain access to an expansive local, regional, and global community. We share knowledge and work together to tackle global challenges. In this sense, it may help to think of a Boma Circle as a community within a community.
When you join, you will be connected to the Boma Commons, a platform that contains toolkits, guides, project post-mortems, and other resources to help you jumpstart your Boma Circle, connect with others, and elevate sustainable solutions.
Learn about Boma Circles. Take a moment to review our guidelines.
Complete and submit a Boma Circle Form.
We’ll reach out shortly! Sit tight and wait for your Welcome email from the Boma team.
Connect with other Boma Circles through our Boma Commons and Slack.
Networking with like-minded individuals is what makes the Boma Community so special.
Get to know us a little better. Learn about Boma and our Ecosystem.
Get the latest information about what's happening at Boma. See our upcoming events.
See what we stand for. Review the Boma Principles.
Check out the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals — we think they set some awesome benchmarks for sustainable change.
Share feedback with us! We want to continually improve event formats and would love to hear your thoughts.
Write up a short blog post on Medium or whichever storytelling platform your Boma Circle uses and share it with us!
Share your successes, resources, and learning in the Boma Commons. If you still need access, let us know. Follow the link below to send us a message.
Connect with other Boma Circle pilot organizers on Slack. If you still need access, let us know.
We searched our hearts, souls, and servers for a matching event with no luck. Interested in one of these instead?
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Add the Boma Principles and our Boma “b” to your website and social media accounts along with a link to our shared principles. By doing so you are pledging to join the global “b” movement. Send us a message to let us know!
Support a Boma Circle in your local area by donating meeting spaces, offering mentorship, making a monetary donation, or sharing other resources. To connect with a Boma Circle that speaks to you, reach out.
Become a founding Boma Global Partner.
Join the Boma Club, the community for transformational leaders.
Bring the Boma Ethical Leadership Institute to your organization.