SOIF Summer Retreat in Strategic Foresight

A Focus on Foresight and Impact

Understand the science of strategic foresight and how it can be used to make a real difference in your organisation. Learn SOIF’s four-stage process for Foresight with Impact, and practical tools and methods. Start your learning before you arrive at the retreat, and gain support to contextualise and embed these in your organisation after you leave.

Appreciate the art of strategic foresight through panel discussions and debates with expert practitioners and leaders who have successfully used foresight to influence decision-making.

Develop confidence and practical experience in the craft by working through a geopolitical “live” challenge in breakout sessions using the tools and approach that you learn.

A focus on transformation: impact, leadership and capacity-building – Our retreats are best suited to leaders who want to shape the future of their organisation, community or sector. The course will help you understand how to use foresight for transformation.

Leave a confident commissioner and intelligent user of futures. Learn the skills and techniques needed to create change and to communicate the impact of foresight work with practical ideas for implementing foresight in your organisation.

Excellent teaching modules, tools and activities

Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology

Attendance is limited to 28 participants.

Whether you set the strategic direction for your organisation, lead a strategy or innovation unit, set up your foresight function, or are just curious about the future, you will benefit from the new analytical and professional perspectives that the retreat provides. If you have already taken part in strategic foresight exercises or are new to the field, you will learn the skills and techniques needed to create change in your organisation and to communicate the impact of your foresight work.

Participants work at a senior level in strategy, policy, leadership and analytical roles in governments, NGOs, international organisations and businesses. Previous participants include representatives from Chevron; Delma Institute, UAE; Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; European External Action Service; Garten Rothkopf; Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology; McKinsey and Company; National Commission of Security, Mexico; Save the Children; Shell Global; The African Public Policy and Research Institute; United Nations; UK Ministry of Defence.

SOIF is international – Our retreats draw attendees from all six continents, and we typically have over 20 nationalities at each retreat.

SOIF builds a community — Whether you are a foresight practitioner, user or commissioner, we help you build connections with people working to solve the same problems you are facing.

Discussion is conducted under the Chatham House Rule, allowing you to reflect, exchange insights and build lasting relationships.

As a social impact program, I would recommend it to any foresight practitioner and anybody who is concerned about the future.

Kaduna Electric

If you would like to join us for SOIF2025, please start by completing the application form. You will be asked to provide information about yourself and your motivations for attending.

We will review this and contact you to let you know if we need more information before confirming your registration. We want to ensure that attendees will be able to get the most out of the course, and will let you know if we don’t think the retreat is the right fit.

Once approved, we will then confirm your place, issue your invoice, which will be due for payment within 4 weeks, and start the onboarding process for the retreat.

We look forward to welcoming you to the UK and the beautiful Lainston House.

Pricing information

Participant fee:

Corporate: GBP 6000 excl. VAT
Non-profit: GBP 4500 excl. VAT

Accommodation fee: GBP 1750 excl. VAT

Early bird registration: register before 1 February 2025 and save GBP 750.

Discounts are available for booking multiple places. Please contact us for information. Typically, we restrict participation to a maximum of 3 individuals from any organisation.

Please note:

• Accommodation fee This is required as we host the event at Lainston House. The accommodation fee covers four nights’ accommodation and meals, as well as use of the facilities at Lainston House.
• Tax/VAT All prices are quoted exclusive of UK VAT which will be charged at 20% if applicable. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss your VAT eligibility.

Payment
Once your registration has been confirmed, we will send you an invoice, and payment will be due within seven days.

You will be asked to confirm your organisation type and desired payment method during the application process. Payment can be made by BACS or online by card.

Cancellation terms

• If you cancel within seven days of approval of your application to attend, we will refund the full retreat fee.
  
• If the retreat is rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19, you can choose to attend on the rescheduled dates or to cancel or defer your attendance. The intention will be to identify dates for the retreat to be held within 3-6 months after the original dates.
  
  Notice of rescheduling or cancellation will be provided more than one month before the event.
  
• For cancellations that are not related to COVID-19, our standard terms will apply:
  
  Before 1 May 2025: 15% cancellation charge
  
  1 May to 1 July 2025: 50% cancellation charge
  
  After 1 July 2025: 100% cancellation charge
  
• We are committed to ensuring those who sign up do not get adversely affected should plans need to change, and we will discuss this with you on a case-by-case basis; however, we will intend to try and reduce this amount where possible and where we can resell the place or recover costs we will refund you the fullest possible amount.

Any Questions?

Any questions, not ready to apply, but want to find out more?

Contact us at:

+44 (0) 300 302 0486 | learning@soif.org.uk | @SOIFutures #SOIF2025

Perfectly calibrated course. Quality, excellent. Great speakers. Practical tools and practical suggestions

United Nations Development Programme

One of my best decisions to come to the retreat, strong expertise in the room and highly inspirational

International Committee of the Red Cross