Nice and convincing: focus on enjoyment, 'happy Degrowth':
Activists should not need too much altruism → focus on 'happy' degrowth to secure long term commitment (and of course for it's own sake ;-))

Small question on gruppo vs circolo: what is the difference - what is necessary to constitute a formal circolo? Are there legal/bureaucratic rules involved in a 'circolo'? (like eg in a German 'Verein')
→ this should be taken into account:
Enthusiasm which is there at the beginning of a project may fade out rather quickly;  it's hard to find people to take on a long-term commitment -> structures should enable longterm commitment, but not be too dependent on it (enable short term participation, work in groups rather than with single persons,...)

Is there a reason for the MDF being national, or is it meant as a beginning for an international structure?

→ I think a cristallization point like the mentioned book would be helpful. How can this be imitated for other countries or on international level?

Examples for 'Adhering associations': what do they look like, what are the criteria? See also our paper upload 'Questions_and_Remarks_on_Strategy_for_Collective_Action'.

Examples for political / theoretical outlines promoted by national level: Are they public and available in English?

What does the support / coordination of local groups look like?

Is there a platform of exchange between circoli?

What does a convivial dinner look like (this sounds interesting)? Can you give us some examples of 15 min presentation? Are they accessible in the net?
Meetings of training groups: sounds fantastic, but also very time-intensive. How do you manage?

Consensus principle: Sounds good, I like it in theory, but I have no practical experience. I would like to hear more about how this is done.

We agree that local groups are essential as support for actions of any kind.

Dear Arndt

Thank you very much for your kind and interesting comments! and sorry for answering so late…

We will try to generally answer to your questions.. then I think for all kind of detail we could speak in the GAP.

1) The difference between gruppo and circolo is that "Circoli" are formal association (the formal name in Italy is "Associazione"). Instead a group is unformed at not formally registered. 

In order to create a Circolo you need a minimum of 3-5 people (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer) and having worked  as a group for a period (organizing some  degrowing activities). It is necessary also to meet someone of the national board (at least by phone) that will give assistance both for legal and management problems. Formally in order to register the cost is nearly 300 euros.

2) We were born on national basis in order enhance the constitution and to coordinate degrowth clubs (circoli) rooted in the territory. We think that it would be very nice to create similar movements in other countries (managed by different national organizations that know properly their own territory), in order to spread practical activism through degrowth clubs.

 In this way an international mapping process of all degrowth activities will be fundamental. I know that there is a GAP working on this and also me and Gualter were involved in a similar project that started after the last degrowth summer school with the collaboration of Research and Degrowth (Launch of Transformap There are Thousands of Alternatives - We put them on a Single Map! , 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Leipzig University, S 328).

3) The criteria for adhering associations are to be formally an already existing association, that has to have done degrowing activities before adhering. Furthermore it has to recognize itself in the degrowth frame and subscribe the principles that are  written in MDF Statute. Later on the national board has to vote for confirmation.

4) Political / theoretical outlines are in italian,  still unpublished. If you are interest I will be able to upload them in italian. 

5) Support / coordination of local groups is carried out by a working group managed by Stefano Zummo, a member of the national  board. It is compacted, maybe better to discuss it.

6) Exchange platform

Circoli can communicate with a mailing list. Furthermore the national website and social network give circle the possibility to show their activities.

7) We try to reach consensus, mostly on fundamental decisions. When we do not arrive we vote.

We agree that happiness in doing things is one of the keypoints. If we get depressed, we will not decolonize any imaginary! :-)

In fact degrowth as an inner transition is desirable and not just a sacrifice. But alone and all by ourselves it could be a sacrifice! It is why we think it is fundamental to give people tools for meeting and doing things.