Many-to-Many Governance Gathering 2026
The Many-to-Many Governance Gathering will bring together governance practitioners, movement organisers, collaboration stewards, progressive funders, legal designers, and others working to mobilise effectively for the complex transitions we face.
The gathering aims to foster community and shared learning among people developing alternative ways of moving resources, coordinating across sectors, and governing within complex collaborations for societal change.
We invite people who are actively rethinking norms around power, ownership, risk, accountability, and strategy—shaping governance infrastructures and contracting to be better suited to the realities of complex change, whether at the level of neighbourhoods, cities, regions, or broader networks.
We aim to create space for meaningful connection—where we can share what we are trying, learning, and what is emerging from our work. While we will loosely anchor around Many-to-Many Systems resources, the emphasis is on learning from one another, inspiring new possibilities, and expanding our collective sense of what is both possible and necessary.
The agenda will aim to cover detailed smaller-group dives on particular themes and live contexts as well as spacious time to connect.
The gathering will begin at 10am with catch-ups and pastries, followed by the main programme starting at 11am. We will close at 5pm, with the option to stay on for continued conversation. The schedule is designed to allow most people to travel to and from the event within the same day.
Applying for a place
We are limiting the gathering to around 50 participants to enable active participation and meaningful relationship-building. Members of the Many-to-Many Governance Learning Network will attend alongside the Dark Matter Labs’/Beyond the Rules Many-to-Many Systems team.
We aim to curate a diverse group of people who are actively designing and practising governance approaches for complex collaborations (including contracting, resource distribution, learning systems)—particularly those challenging conventional ideas of power, ownership, risk, and value. We invite people who are curious to connect and learn with others working in this space. If you would like to attend, please register your interest; we will confirm whether you have been offered a place.
Registration deadline: 15 May 18:00 GMT
The Many-to-Many Learning Network is funding this gathering, resourced by Lankelly Chase Foundation. Breakfast pastries, refreshments and lunch for all participants will be provided.
We ask you to cover your own transport costs to and from the gathering if and where possible. If this is a barrier for you attending the gathering, please indicate this in the registration form, as we have a (limited) pot to cover travel costs where it is needed. We are not anticipating people needing to stay overnight, however we appreciate that in some circumstances this may be unavoidable - if you require this please indicate this in your registration form, including if you need help booking or resourcing the stay.
What is the Many-to-Many-Governance Learning Network?
The Many-to-Many Governance Learning Network was convened by Dark Matter Labs’ Beyond the Rules team, with support from Lankelly Chase Foundation, Arising Quo and Laudes Foundation.
Members of the network are working in diverse contexts to develop governance approaches for complex collaborations—challenging conventional norms around power, ownership, risk, and value. You can explore case studies and key learnings from their work here: Learnings from the Field - Many-to-Many System | Many-to-Many System
The network shares a common analysis: current systems for mobilising money, time, skills, knowledge, and relationships for the societal transitions we need to create are hindered by traditional conditions contracting and governance approaches. In response, members are building and testing live alternatives—practical examples of how things could work differently.
Together with the Beyond the Rules team, the network undertook a “Proof of Possibility,” co-designing and implementing its own many-to-many governance system and contract to collectively distribute resources. Through this, the network has also functioned as a live practice community.
This gathering marks the closing chapter of the Many-to-Many Governance Learning Network in its current form. We hope it will also serve as a catalyst—seeding new connections, ideas, and collaborations across the wider ecosystem.
Location and Access
We are delighted to be hosting this in Sheffield - where ambitious work in cross-sector city level change is happening, and where questions about many-to-many governance are being explored.
The venue is: The Victoria Sheffield, 1 Rowland Street, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8DE
It can be reached from Sheffield train station by cycle (10 minutes), taxi (10 minutes), walking (28 minutes) or public transport (20 minutes). Limited parking is available on site and accessibility will be prioritised; there is ample paid street parking near the venue.
We want to make this event as accessible and inclusive as possible. Here’s what you can expect:
Venue access
The venue is step-free in all but one room, with accessible toilets available. There will be a range of seating options, including chairs with backs and space for wheelchair users. A quiet room will be available for anyone who needs time away from the main event.
Communication access
If you require BSL interpretation or any other form of communication access, please state this where prompted on the registration form and we will fund this.
Sensory environment
We aim to keep lighting and noise levels consistent and will avoid strobe effects.
Food and drink
Food will include vegan and gluten-free options as needed - please state this where prompted on the registration form so that we can provide this appropriately. All allergens will be clearly labelled. We will make the food menu available in advance.
COVID safety
In commitment to disability justice, we ask you to join us in practising collective care around the virus. We ask folks to test before attending if you experience any symptoms, and we encourage masking with high-quality masks.
Other access needs
We know access needs vary. When registering, you’ll have space to tell us what you need, or you can contact us directly at [email protected]. We’ll do our best to accommodate wherever possible.