The 4th Economy for the Common Good International Conference (ECGIC 2026) successfully brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders in Amberg, Germany. Under the overarching theme “Transforming Towards a Fair and Sustainable Economy,” the event served as a dynamic platform to explore viable paths that combine social justice with ecological sustainability to create real-world impact.
The conference was proudly hosted by a cross-border consortium featuring the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Amberg-Weiden, the University of West Bohemia Pilsen, and the Bavarian Center for Sustainability in Higher Education (BayZeN), and was co-organized by the International Federation for the Economy for the Common Good (ECOnGOOD).
A Three-Day Journey of Co-Creation
The 2026 edition was distinctively structured into three thematic days, providing a unique space for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary exchange. ECGIC 2026 welcomed an international audience of researchers, practitioners, students, policy representatives and sustainability professionals. Across keynote sessions, coffee breaks and evening networking, participants exchanged experiences, challenged ideas and built new connections. The conference also provided many students with their first opportunity to experience an international scientific conference and engage directly with leading researchers and practitioners.
Scientific excellence and practical experience met throughout the conference. Keynote speeches, panel discussions and parallel sessions addressed topics including leadership, common good economics, sustainable food systems, regional transformation, consumer behavior, circular economy and responsible business. Rather than searching for simple answers, participants explored different perspectives, challenged assumptions and discussed future pathways for sustainability transformation.
Many of the most meaningful conversations happened outside the lecture rooms. Workshops, networking sessions and informal meetings created space for researchers, businesses, civil society organisations and students to develop new ideas together. ECGIC 2026 demonstrated that sustainable transformation depends not only on excellent research but also on long-term partnerships across disciplines, sectors and countries.
Day 1: Science
Dirk Philipsen
The conference kicked off with a deep dive into the scientific perspectives of the Common Good. Through presentations, workshops, and poster sessions, participants shared their latest research findings.
Thought-provoking keynotes by Sigrid Stagl and Dirk Philipsen, who explored “Fences, Fortunes and Failures: The Legacy of Property.” The day concluded with an engaging round table discussion on what future generations need from the present, featuring Christian Felber, Sarina Spiegel, and Chelsea Mandrigues.
Day 2: Practice
The second day shifted the focus to real-world examples. Practitioners from different sectors, regional development managers, and practice-oriented researchers shared first-hand experiences in implementing fair and sustainable business models.
Panel dicussion Sarina Spiegel and Chelsea Mandrigues
Inspiring keynotes from Lewis Akenji (“Imagining 2050 Today”), Alma Spribille (“Fair Salaries through Transparency”), and Thomas Lang (“Organic Farming, Basis for the Common Good”). Attendees also enjoyed a unique performance lecture on the ‘Vortical Economy’ by Thomas H. and Kilian Culhane, followed by a beautiful evening choir concert by “Art Vokal”.
Day 3: Transformation
The final day fostered closer interaction between science and practice. Workshop sessions aimed to promote transdisciplinary research and actively stimulate actionable pathways for transformative change.
Keynotes by Antoinette Weibel (“Enabling Trust – Economy for the Common Good through Relationships”) and Christian Felber, who closed the core sessions by discussing social boundaries as the twin sister of planetary boundaries.
Antoinette Weibel
Conference Proceedings
The conference proceedings bring together all the research contributions presented at ECGIC 2026. All papers published underwent a rigorous double-blind peer review process, ensuring the highest scientific quality.
Hosting Consortium
The selected hosting consortium was led by the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden (OTH Amberg-Weiden) in Amberg, Germany; in partnership with the University of West Bohemia, Pilsen in the Czech Republic; the Bavarian Centre for Sustainability in Higher Education (BayZeN) in Germany; and the International Federation ECOnGOOD.
The organization of the conference was coordinated by a Steering Committee composed of:
– Prof. Dr. Clemens Bulitta (OTH AW)
– Prof. Dr. Christiane Hellbach (OTH AW)
– Laura Völkl (OTH AW)
– Dita Hommerová (University of West Bohemia)
– Lara Lütke-Spatz Luetke-Spatz (BayZeN)
– Christian Felber (ECOnGOOD)
– Jose Carlos Ramos, PhD (ECOnGOOD)
The confluence of diverse narratives has been an important reason for the positive reception of the conferences among speakers and participants in previous editions.
The 2026 conference continueed developing the interdisciplinary approach of the first three events. The confluence of diverse narratives has been an important reason for the positive reception of the conferences among speakers and participants in previous editions.
For questions, please contact science@econgood.org and visit the Conference’s official website: www.oth-aw.de/ecgic2026/
