The Reciprocity Workshop is a two-day co-creative journey designed to cultivate a commons-based network in Chiang Mai.
Rooted in the principles of relationship over outcome, co-creation, and mind-body integration, the workshop invites participants to slow down, connect deeply, and envision new ways of being together.
Our intention with the workshop is to curate a network that helps amplify the work and creative potential of everyone in it, towards a powerful community with greater influence than the sum of its parts. Through shared protocols, storytelling, artistic expression, resource mapping, and embodied practices, we explore what reciprocity means in our local context.
Together, we build a shared vision, map the abundance within our networks, and explore practical pathways for collaboration.
The workshop will take place over 2 days at Nomad Turtle followed by a (optional) day-long field trip to the Pgak’yau Indigenous community in Baan Nong Tao.
The workshop itself is an experiment, emerging from several of past gatherings that we’ve been organising and been a part of over the past year.
This page includes more information about the program and accommodation. Invitees have all received a link to register.
About the organisers – Cosmo-local Chiang Mai
cosmo-local Chiang Mai is an initiative of the digi-cnx stewarded by Dev Lewis and Vivian Chen. Through this initiative we explore how indigenous wisdom and Asian philosophy can integrate with global knowledge and technological connectivity. Through community, research, and embodied practice, we explore creating the conditions for emergence of new systems and ways of living rooted in commons.
We envision a future beyond the state-market binary that orders our world today. We see a commons-oriented world, where local communities form reciprocal, commons-based networks grounded in land, trust, and mutual care.
Our network includes people who are sowing the seeds for new systems and ways of living that are affiliated with our cosmo-local Chiang Mai Network: bridge builders, entrepreneurs, open-source developers, local initiators, and pioneers; connected to areas such as Planetary health and Climate action, emerging tech, food production, energy, healing and spirituality, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and education.
Learn more here.
About the accommodation
We encourage all participants to stay with us at NomadTurtle for one night to get the most out of the workshop experience. Each participant will be assigned to a shared room with no more than three other roommates. The shared rooms are equipped with beds, a washroom, and fans. If you wish to upgrade to a private room at a higher rate, please let us know in the registration form.
About the field trip
We’ll be visiting Baan Nong Tao, a hill-tribe village home to the Pgak’yau people (often known as Karen or Pakakayo). This community is known not only for its vibrant cultural heritage, like intricate handwoven textiles and traditional dress, but also for its deep spiritual and ecological relationship with the land.
For generations, the Pgak’yau have practiced rotational farming, forest conservation, and water management rooted in customary law and spiritual respect for nature. Their way of life offers living examples of ecological wisdom, self-reliance, and community care.
This trip is an invitation to listen, learn, and reflect on what reciprocity truly means. How do we live in a relationship with the Earth? How do we honor knowledge that comes from lived experience and intergenerational care?
We’ll also learn how the community continues to protect its forests and manage natural resources in the face of external pressures. There is so much we can learn from their resilience, humility, and harmony with nature.
Staying at Nomad Turtle
Shared Rooms
Private Rooms
Meals
A simple self-serve breakfast spread of fresh fruits, bread, jams, cereals, oat milk, coffee, and tea is served in our communal kitchen
For lunch or dinner we will organise either a buffet from the restaurant & café or meals from a nearby local restaurant.
NomadTurtle SanPatong is our reciprocity workshop partner.
It is a breathing, living village in Chiang Mai that blends creativity, community, and connection. We’ve welcomed digital nomads, soulful creatives, and conscious travellers into a space shared with local artisans and families.
Our space reflects the rhythm of the region, woven with arts, culture, and heart. We curate holistic experiences rooted in sustainability and reflection: group meals, craft workshops, wellness sessions and mutual learning circles. Every stay supports thoughtful impact and genuine exchange.
Rooted in local Thai craft, powered by a global community.
Click here to read more about NomadTurtle.