Nature of Trust CoLab
A 10-week course exploring trust through living systems
Discover what living systems can teach us about cultivating trust in human systems.
→ Explore the eight principles of trust-affirming behaviors observed across living systems
→ Gain practical tools for building trust in teams, organizations, and communities
→ Learn through live online sessions + field assignments
→ Engage with an emerging body of work within the field of biomimicry
Rooted in the Nature of Trust Project
This course is based on insights from The Nature of Trust—a body of work grounded in over two years of biological research, synthesis, and field-testing. A collaborative effort between Biomimicry for Social Innovation and Biomimicry 3.8, the project started with the guiding research question: “What is important for us to learn from nature about building trust?”
Participants in this course will engage directly with the Nature of Trust Framework and Toolkit, building upon the work started by the first learning cohort. The program translates biological insights into practical frameworks, reflective practices, and real-world applications that participants can begin using immediately.
A different kind of learning experience
The Nature of Trust CoLab is an immersive 10-week online training designed for leaders, practitioners, facilitators, and change-makers seeking a deeper understanding of trust in human systems. More than a conventional course, it is an invitation into an important emerging body of work exploring what living systems can teach us about how trust forms, grows, and endures.
Each session blends instruction, biological examples, facilitated dialogue, small breakout groups, and field application—creating an active environment for understanding trust in nuanced ways.
How it works
Duration
10 weeks
(Sept 17-Nov 19)
Live Sessions
5 online sessions
2 hours
Every other Thursday
Intersession Weeks
Field Assignments
+
Peer Learning
Bring your work into the Trust CoLab
The Nature of Trust CoLab is designed to bridge insight and application.
Participants are welcome to bring a current trust-related challenge, question, or area of curiosity into the experience. However, a defined project is not required. Some participants may apply the work directly within organizations or communities, while others may engage the material to deepen their leadership, consulting, facilitation, or relational practice.
Over 10 weeks, you will:
→ Test new approaches in real time
→ Reflect and adapt based on what you learn
→ Build a practical body of work grounded in your context that you can continue beyond the course
While not required, we strongly encourage participants to join in pairs or small teams to deepen application and increase impact.
What you’ll walk away with
→ Practical tools to establish, grow, and maintain trust
→ A deeper understanding of the Nature of Trust Framework and Toolkit
→ Real-world experience applying these principles in your context
→ A Field Journal documenting your learning and insights
→ A network of peers working on similar challenges
→ A Certificate of Completion
→ Optional: Additional coaching sessions are available for those seeking deeper support.
Pricing & Access
Catch Our Early Bird Rates
(Available through July 23, 2026)
→ For Individuals: $1,950 per person (a $400 discount)
→ For Teams: $1,350 per person (a $500 discount)
→ Private coaching available for an additional $550 (three sessions)
Standard Rates
→ For Individuals: $2,350 per person
→ For Teams: $1,850 per person
→ Private coaching available for an additional $550 (three sessions)
Encourage your organization to sponsor your participation
Many participants receive organizational support for their participation in our professional development programs. Here are a few ways to make that request:
Tie it to a real need: Bring a specific Trust Design Challenge to the CoLab. Connect it to an existing priority (e.g. team dynamics, partnerships, community engagement, leadership development).
Emphasize immediate application: This is not theoretical—your work benefits in real time.
Bring a colleague: Participating as a pair or team increases impact and accountability.
Offer a return: Share key learnings, tools, or a short presentation with your team afterward.
Position it as leadership development: Build skills in trust, collaboration, and systems thinking.
Ready to explore trust through the lens of living systems?
Participate in a rare opportunity to engage deeply with a rigorous, emerging, biologically grounded framework for understanding trust.