Annual Report 2023

The well-attended session covered topics ranging from the effects of GDP growth on credit demand, problems with the commercialisation of the money system, the need to close off tax havens and for countries to adopt ‘commons-based’ taxation measures such as Land Value Tax, and the need for democratic reforms to the global financial and trade architecture. [...] Feasta has been closely following and seeking to influence the Wellbeing Framework’s development since its inception in 2021, and in 2023, Feasta contributed wording on the Framework to the Environmental Pillar’s submission to the Budget 2024 and the Pillar’s input to the National Economic Dialogue. [...] The event was also a celebration of the progress made so far in the project, offering a sample of the artistic contributions from the ‘Cultural Creatives’ Community of Practice, including artistic performances by Israh Castro, Cait Ni Riain and Mel White, and the first screening of the short film ‘Seeding the Future’ by Donal O’Céailleachar. [...] Topics covered in our discussion included Molly’s experience as an MEP and her reflections on the European Parliament’s role, the dynamics within the UK which led to Brexit, the challenges involved in achieving environmental and social progress within flawed political systems, and the importance of the arts and culture in bringing about change. [...] Fundraising In the course of 2023 Feasta made several project funding applications: two to the IEN for projects on energy and on the wellbeing economy in 2024 (in partnership, respectively, with the Green Foundation Ireland and Cultivate); and one to the Irish Department of Foreign Affair’s Shared Island Fund, for Cultural Creatives work (on behalf of the WEAll Ireland Hub).