Changework Compass
You already know you want to contribute. The question was never whether. It's what, and howâŚespecially now.
Get clear on your unique contribution to the co-creation of a just and regenerative future. Not just a general sense of what matters to you, or the work you felt called to do five years ago - the specific thing only you can bring, right now.
We run this programme live once a year and offer the self-paced course for the other seasons.
Join the Changework Compass
You might be asking yourself
Everything is on fire, whatâs mine to do?
Without just putting out the fires as they happenâŚ
These days, an avalanche of bad news hits you every morning before you even had the first sip of your coffee.
Youâve probably felt like this guy at least a few times this year already:
And I donât blame you. Feeling overwhelmed, grief-striken, or heartbroken are not failures, but signs that you have not lost your humanity. That you are in fact in touch with what is going on.
But mix that with:
- the constant sense that everything is urgent, with fires waiting to be put out everywhere (in your life, in your government, on your phone screens, and for some of us in our literal backyards)
- feeling exhausted by the sheer weight of it all, and at the same time like youâre not investing your energy in the best way
- the unexpected loneliness that comes from living through pain and collapse many of your peers, coworkers, or family barely notice, actively avoid discussing, or canât comprehend
That is a LOT to carry. Hereâs the good news: youâre not alone. Over 60 people have gone through the Changework Compass in just the last year (going from this feeling to clear and confident), and people are in my inbox every day, sharing about this struggle.
This yearning is a sign that you are a changeworker⌠even if youâve never called yourself one before. And this liminal space youâre in is something you have more agency over than you think.Â
The way out is through finding what is yours to contribute. Not just so that you can bring your gifts to the world (though we really need that!). Also to protect your health, mental and physical, and to cultivate both meaning and belonging. My mission is to help you with this.
"I came in with passion but no clear path. Now, I feel grounded in my commitment, with clarity around the small, concrete steps I can take â and even the inspiration to start something of my own. Most of all, I feel empowered.
Iâd recommend this to anyone at a crossroads â wanting to contribute to meaningful change but unsure where to start. This experience offers clarity, connection, and the courage to begin."
Verena Lorenz, Working towards regenerative tourism
Maybe youâre going through this right now:
- You look out at a world cracking at the seams and wonder how we could possibly avoid disaster, and what your role to play in all this is.
- You know youâre supposed to be doing the inner work, but you donât have time and you question whether your money is better spent donating to a cause instead of spending on something that feels âselfishâ.
- You feel like everyone else has figured out their purpose, with a clear identity, a published book and 5 keynote speeches under their belt, but youâre still flailing around, unsure where you fit.
- You have the desire and the passion to morph into action, but you donât know where to channel it or how to best use your agency to support the sheer number of causes that need your help - beyond signing all the petitions that land in your inbox.
Iâve experienced all of these, and so have many others - and there is a path forward.
Thereâs a future for you that looks like this:
- You truly understand where you fit - your entry point, your unique leverage of skills and experience that you can direct towards a cause in a way that feels right
- You become a part of a group of inspired kindred spirits who are looking for the same sense of community, who have the same discomfort of ânot knowing,â that you have
- You hold your own map, with actual tools you can use that will get you to not just figuring out your unique contribution, but living it
- You feel a deeper sense of agency and peace, even though the work isnât âfinishedâ
- Have a clear understanding of the paradigm shifts we need and the different ways to support this process, feeling grounded and confident in your contribution
From unsure, scattered, and overwhelmed, to clear, grounded and confident. That is the difference that knowing your unique contribution is, makes. Finding the kind of work and role within which you truly shine, giving to the world whilst receiving back. is possible. It is possible to lead from agency instead of fear, connected deeply to a meaningful mission and doing work that you know in your bones is right.
And I can't wait to show you how...
Hi, Iâm Nora!
I was 16 when I awoke to the state of the world. Once I had processed some of the grief, shock and anger that this caused, I set out to make a difference. Ever since, I have been on a quest to make my best possible contribution to a better tomorrow. It was never a question of whether this is what I would dedicate my life to, it was just a question of how.
Since then, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to truly make change work. In 2017, I realised that the tools we were taught would be insufficient to create the level of transformation needed, so I set out to learn about systems change. I worked in the field for 8 years, running multiple Social Innovation Labs, delivering hundreds of talks, training and supporting dozens of aspiring systems change leaders⌠Also burning out in the process.Â
Iâm not ashamed to speak of what I went through, because it was one of the experiences in my life that taught me the most. I know now that exploiting myself is not the way to create a more regenerative world. This is one of the many hard learned lessons that I hope you wonât have to go through in the same way.
I am very passionate about helping people and organisations unleash their full potential, and getting clear on oneâs unique contribution is a key component of this. After realising âhow can I find my purposeâ is the number one question I get asked by people who want to make a difference in the world, I have decided to create this programme to support you.Â
I am putting all the tools, processes and insights I have gathered over my 15+ years of changework into a process to help you get clearer on what is yours to bring, to create, to set in motion. Over 60 people have now gone through the Changework Compass in two sold out live editions, and seeing their transformation and trajectories since has been incredible. It would be my honour to support you on your journey!
âNoraâs Changework Compass was a true gamechanger for me. I knew it was time for something new. I lacked direction on what to focus on and couldnât see clearly through the fog of noise around me.
Working with Nora lifted that fog. She has a rare ability to guide with exactly the right system change tools. What stood out was how she weaves together the systemic lens with the personal one, empowering me to think boldly, without slipping into naivety.
Her methodology goes beyond ego-driven entrepreneurship but always includes your unique personality and needs. Now, after the program, I feel calm and confident to be working on two clear pathways. Itâs the most systemic idea-incubation program Iâve ever seen.â
Jana Ganzmann, Founder of Impact Hub Tirol
Introducing:
Changework Compass
The programme that helps you name your unique contribution - and build the confidence, clarity, and skills to bring it, without burning out in the process or doing it all alone.
Join the Changework Compass
The SEED Framework
Your systems-informed path to purpose clarity
The unique framework I've developed to help you find your unique contribution:
Self-awareness
Envisioning
Ecosystem-awareness
Designing
We'll go through a process that begins with expanding your Self-awareness. Second, we'll connect to the future we Envision. Then, we'll develop Ecosystem-awareness to better understand the complex social and environmental challenges we're facing, and how to potentially make a difference. Based on these insights, we'll then Design your unique role in this transition towards a better tomorrow. So that you can move forward with clarity and confidence, knowing you are walking the path youâre meant to walk.
Here's how that unfolds over 10 weeks:
Week 1: Orientation
Reflect on your changework journey so far, and co-initiate the Changework Compass together with the full cohort in a kick-off call.
Week 2: Self-awareness
Get to know yourself and your superpowers. Because you matter. If you skip this step, youâll either miss out on potential or end up burning out - I mean it!
Week 3: Envisioning
Connect to the future of your wildest dreams. Itâs not frivolous - we canât work towards a future we canât even picture. This will nourish and guide your work for years to come.
Week 4: Ecosystem-awareness (diagnosing present reality)
Dive into the broken systems and understand the paradigm shifts we need. Sitting with some hard truths, preparing ourselves to get to work in the ruins.
Week 5 ¡ Buffer week
Some breathing space. Catch up on a workshop you missed, complete some action steps, or just take some time to rest. This monday, I'll offer a session without any content, entirely dedicated to answering your questions.
Week 6 ¡ Ecosystem-awareness (pinpointing your cause)
Understand how power is distributed, and use these insights to identify the causes where you're best positioned to contribute. Ignoring power is a sure way to meet stark resistance down the line - consider yourself warned.
Week 7: Designing (crafting a strategy)
Applying different systems thinking tools, we'll seek to understand the cause on a deeper level and find potential leverage points. Based on what's already happening in the ecosystem, we'll explore what strategies hold considerable potential for transformation.
Week 8:Â Designing (your role)
Now it's time to bring it all together. Based on the work done so far, and taking into consideration your preferences and needs, we'll design your dream role. There might be one clear result, or a few avenues for you to explore.
Week 9: Buffer week
Some breathing space. Catch up on a workshop you missed, complete some action steps, or just take some time to rest. This monday, I'll offer a session without any content, entirely dedicated to answering your questions.
Week 10: Planning your next steps
I wouldn't leave you hanging, so I've added another week to make sure we take some time to plan. You'll leave this programme knowing exactly who you'll reach out to, what skills you need to develop, and what to do next.
In just 10 weeks
You'll leave ready to transition to a new field, create or join a specific initiative, or step into a new level of leadership within your current role... and maybe most importantly: feel empowered to make a change that is meaningful to you. You'll have not just me in your corner, ready to support and introduce you to folks, but also other members of this community. You'll have re-oriented from despair to hope, and reclaimed your power and agency. You'll have reconnected to hope, and the knowledge that every step you take makes a difference, and every step you can take is worth taking. Crucially, you'll know where you belong, and be ready to grow roots from the seeds planted here.
I want in
âI came into the Changework Compass feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to move forward. Within weeks, I found clarity, confidence, and a grounded path I could actually take.
What once felt abstract became a concrete plan and I quickly stepped into a new professional role while growing my own initiative. I finally felt equipped to take meaningful action without second-guessing myself.
Nora creates a powerful space for vision, honesty, and action. I left feeling energized, supported, and deeply empowered.â
Jakob Filzen, Social Psychologist | Belonging & Accountability Beyond Patriarchal Violence
The Changework Compass will be invaluable to you ifâŚ
- You are currently going through a major transition phase and on the cusp of reinvention - but you donât know what that looks like
- Youâre ready to step into your unique contribution, even if it feels a bit scary or uncertain
- Have tried Ikigai and other mainstream purpose frameworks but without much success
- You know that isolating yourself and trying to figure this out by doing more thinking on your own isnât what you want (or need)
- You want concrete tools you can use, not simply theory and frameworks that you can admire from afar
- Youâre looking for a community of people going through the same shift you are - with everyone getting it without you needing to explain your feelings
What's Included
Onboarding & Goal Setting
Right when you join, you'll go through a brief self-paced onboarding process so I can learn more about your starting point, your goals, and anything that will help me personalise your experience. This is also a chance for you to reflect on your own goals for the programme.
Kickoff Call
(live cohort only)
During the first session, we'll take time to co-initiate this journey and for you to get to know your peers. It'll be recorded, so no worries if you can't join live. We'll also be forming pods of 3-5 people to connect with more deeply throughout this journey.
Weekly Live Calls
(live cohort only)
We'll meet Mondays from 6:00-7:00pm CEST for 10 weeks (the first Monday runs 30 minutes longer so everyone can meet each other). After kickoff week, you'll go through the self-paced videos in your own time, then gather live to go deeper and ask your questions.
Community
(live cohort or self-paced with community only)
A student community space to ask questions, celebrate wins, and share feedback with each other. Youâre invited to join coworking sessions or pop into office hours to ask your questions and get feedback on your work. The above is included for 10 weeks, after which you have the option to renew.
Personalised Feedback
(live cohort or self-paced with community only)
You can get hands-on support during office hours, or in our dedicated feedback space in the community. There will also be prompts to submit specific assignments for feedback â I'll personally reply to everyone with comments and/or a short video reply.
Digital resources
The online curriculum is composed of eight online modules cut into lessons (professionally edited videos, not just zoom call recordings), as well as workbooks and additional digital templates and resources.
"Participating in the Changework Compass was a grounding and hopeful experience during a period of professional uncertainty. The programme helped me reconnect with my values, clarify the kind of change I want to contribute to, and better understand how to do so.
The materials, weekly gatherings, and pod meetings offered space to feel inspired and to connect with others who are also committed to changework. They also provided concrete tools and resources to begin designing a personal strategy, identifying meaningful intervention points and areas of work, and grounding that strategy in social justice values, aspirations, and systems-based approaches. Whether you are interested in finding, strengthening, or revising how you want to make positive change happen, I highly recommend this programme!"
Raquel Serrano, Activist, Researcher & International Affairs ProfessionalÂ
Interested?
Sign up to our waitlist to be the first to hear when the Changework Compass opens its doors again
Or start today and go through the programme at your own pace!Â
Join the Changework Compass
âNoraâs Changework Compass gave me a valuable way to explore the areas where I feel called to dive deeper and think about transformation. While she provided a great theoretical foundation for understanding systems change, what stood out just as much were the shared experiences within the cohort. I began the journey with a vague sense that I wanted to contribute to systems change â and finished with a clear direction and renewed energy to move forward.â
Stephanie Bischof, Climate Entrepreneur
Frequently Asked Questions
I donât even know if I am a changeworker, activist or not⌠is this for me?
I have been a changeworker for 10+ years and Iâm at a crossroads. Is this too basic for me?
Do I need to know anything about systems change?
Isn't it selfish to spend money on myself when the causes need it more?
I donât have much time, is this for me?
I canât afford this programme, what do I do?
How long do I keep access to the course?
Do you have a refund policy?
What is the difference between the live or the self-paced version?
How can I get in touch if I still have questions?
"After my retirement, I was wondering how to still save the world when the clock is ticking louder and louder. With her Changework Compass, Nora Wilhelm takes you on a step-by-step hike into the art, science and practice of system change. Each workbook is a piece of art, and the lectures allow for motivating interactions with an amazing group of participants.
Starting with a flea circus of diverging ideas, I used the compass to pick a meaningful set of potential change projects⌠now the decision is clear â I am on a mission to tame a dragon called extractive industries. If you need some inspired and well-structured quality time for picking your next fight to save the planet, then sign up for Changework Compass!"
Bernhard Wehrli, Concerned Scientist
Not just another online courseâŚ
Listen, I know how it is. We sign up for things because we have the highest aspirations, only to barely open it. Perhaps youâre sitting with:
- guilt about investing any time or money into âinner workâ, or your own development, when everything else seems to urgent
- the disappointment youâve felt after attending a retreat or taking a large online course, only to be right back where you started 2 weeks later because you couldnât take anything concrete from them
- the realisation that the work is never truly finished, because no oneâs handing out certificates of completion for continuing to show up
Well, itâs no wonder you feel frozen, uninspired, or like youâll never be able to do deeply meaningful work that actually makes a difference.
I was right where you are now, a bunch of times in my life. And here's the reframe that changed it for me: getting clear is not a detour from the work. It IS the work. Every year spent scattered across causes, or paralysed by not-knowing, costs the world more than ten weeks spent finding where you actually count. Clarity isn't self-indulgence. It's what makes everything you do afterwards land.Â
But hereâs the thing: bringing our unique contribution depends on us, and our ability to continue the work sustainably. Taking the time to get clear on what is ours to do, from a place of self-awareness as well as connection to what the world needs, is an investment that will generate returns in the form of impact, but also in your own health and happiness.
Also, there is nothing like being in a room with people working to seed change across causes, backgrounds, and countries. This is the space where you refind the motivation and purpose that was lacking elsewhere, and truly take action on it.
100%Satisfaction Guarantee!
I truly believe in the value of this programme, and everything I do, I do to make a difference in people's lives. So if you spend time inside, do the work, and realise it's not for you, email us within 14 days of the programme beginning for a full refund. You get two weeks to test everything and decide, with no hard feelings. The only thing I ask is that you actually give it a try.
Let's do this
To recap, the Changework Compass is a 10-weeks programme where I help people like you, who care about the world and its inhabitants, find their unique contribution, so that you can stay focused, sane and inspired.Â
We also offer need-based scholarships. You can apply for one here.
When you join, youâll unlockâŚ
- 8 modules of professionally edited video lessons
- A workbook for each module
- Bonus resources and bibliography
- Three surprise workshops
- Lifetime access to the curriculum, including future updates
Join the Changework Compass
We have need-based scholarships available â you can apply for one here.
Â
Self-Paced
âŹ250Â
Includes:
â 8 modules of professionally edited video lessons
â A workbook for each module
â Bonus resources
â Lifetime access, including future updates
 Recommended Â
Self-Paced with Community
âŹ350Â
Includes:
â Everything in Self-Paced + 3 months of live support
â Online community of changeworkers from around the world
â Monthly coworking calls
â Monthly office hours
â A monthly connection & integration session
â A quarterly workshop
â Extra sessions during busier seasons
Prefer to go through it live?
The next cohort begins in September 2027.
Join the waitlist for first access and an early-bird price.
Plus: if you start self-paced now and would like to join the next live cohort, what you've paid gets credited towards the live price. So there's no risk in getting started now âĄ
Join the waitlistThe fog doesn't lift by itself
You already know you want to contribute. The question was never whether. It's what, and how, and that question has a process, a map, and company. Ten weeks from now, you could be holding your own answer: your contribution named, your first steps clear, and people around you who get it without explanation.