Admission Process

Participation in Elevate is based on a selection process designed to create a balanced and thriving community. Our criteria ensure both continuity and inclusivity, maintaining the unique culture of Elevate while welcoming fresh perspectives.

☑️ Returning and New Participants: Half of the participants (50%) are returning attendees. This ensures continuity, preserves the culture, and brings valuable collective knowledge to help co-create the event. The other half (50%) consists of new participants, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the experience.

☑️ Gender Balance: We are committed to achieving a balanced representation of genders, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

☑️ International Inclusion: Elevate embraces participants from around the globe, promoting a rich, multicultural exchange of ideas and experiences.

☑️ Age Distribution: We strive to include a balanced representation of age groups to encourage intergenerational dialogue and diverse perspectives.

☑️ Priority for Local Initiatives: Special consideration is given to participants involved in initiatives already taking place on the island, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and contributing to the larger system.

☑️ Diversity in Ticket Offering:To ensure accessibility for a wide range of individuals, Elevate offers various ticket options, making the event open to diverse groups.

☑️ Commitment to Full Participation: We prioritize participants who commit to the full duration of the experience, especially those attending both the opening and closing ceremonies. This ensures a deeper engagement and meaningful connection throughout the event.

Your application is very important to us. 

We deeply appreciate the time and effort you take to answer thoughtfully and honestly. We also value hearing your authentic voice and kindly request that you refrain from using tools like ChatGPT to answer the questions.

This carefully curated selection process allows Elevate to remain an immersive, enriching, and transformative experience for everyone involved.

First Time at a Co-Created Event?

Co-creation means that we shape and create the experience together. At Elevate, there are no consumers or producers—everyone contributes. 

Here’s how we co-create:

Daily Island Reset: We clean and reset the facility together, dividing tasks into groups.

Cooking: While breakfast is self-service, lunch and dinner are prepared by self-assigned cooking teams. Everyone will take responsibility for cooking for 40 people at least once.

Workshops and Activities: These are also co-created, with participants contributing ideas, leading sessions, or helping organize activities.

Self-Organized Transportation to the Island: We all collaborate in coordinating travel to and from the island. This might include taking the bus, catching the ferry, or carpooling with a group. 

    The Initiator Team is responsible for igniting the basic structure needed to keep things running smoothly up to the arrival at the venue. Once on-site, the collective effort takes over to bring the experience to life.

    This collaborative approach is at the heart of Elevate, creating a shared, meaningful experience for everyone involved.

    Co-Creative Event

    To participate in this co-created event, we expect engagement before, during, and after the experience:

    Before: Join the kick-off meeting and help organize a meal with your cooking team.

    During: Take initiative in problem-solving, leading activities, and contributing to the event.

    After: Take any waste with you, fill out a feedback form, and share your experience.

      Co-Created Week

      Co-Created Week

      This is what it could look like a week in Elevate

      What is an Elevate Initiator?

      Being an Initiator means stepping into a leadership role within the Elevate Community. Initiators help set the retreat in motion, ensuring its foundation is strong, inclusive, and aligned with Elevate’s values. Initiators contribute to creating an immersive and transformative experience for everyone involved. 

      Each Elevate group includes six Initiators. Their role concludes once they hand over their responsibilities to the group, after which they transition into participants themselves.

      The Role as an Initiator: 

      • Lead with the Community: Initiators are part of the team driving the retreat forward. You collaborate with both new and experienced contributors, blending fresh ideas with collective wisdom to shape the event. 
      • Be the Heart of the Selection Process: One of your key responsibilities is managing the participant selection process. This involves carefully reviewing applications to ensure a balance between returning and new participants, gender representation, international diversity, and inclusivity in ticket offerings.
      • Active Before and After the Retreat: While your main responsibilities occur before and after the event, during the retreat itself, you will immerse yourself as a participant while remaining available to support the venue and address any unexpected needs.

      If you’re inspired to help shape and elevate this unique experience, we’d love for you to apply to be an Initiator! Kindly read the requirements to become one before applying. 

      Apply to become an initiator: link


      Elevate Non-Profit Organization 

      We are also in the process of creating a non-profit organization to support and sustain this co-creative community. This initiative will help ensure that our shared vision continues to grow and thrive. More details about the non-profit and how it will serve the community will be shared soon—stay tuned!