What is BWB?

Who Are We?

Burners Without Borders (BWB) is a grassroots, volunteer-driven, community leadership program of the Burning Man Project. At its core, BWB is about unlocking creativity to solve local problems and foster meaningful change. We support volunteers worldwide in creating innovative civic solutions and driving community resilience projects.

What Does This Look Like?

Our approach emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and fun. BWB projects bring people together to inspire ideas, build connections, and make a positive impact. Our website serves as both a platform to showcase the amazing work of our community and a catalyst for sparking new ideas.

BWB Chicago Mission Statement

BWB Chicago exists to ignite civic engagement, inspire creativity, and foster connection. We collaborate with individuals, organizations, and communities to build stronger, more resilient networks. Our mission is rooted in the 10 Principles of Burning Man and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion in all that we do.

BWB Chicago Vision

We envision a Chicago where creativity, collaboration, and compassion drive civic engagement and empower communities to thrive. By cultivating meaningful connections, BWB Chicago aspires to create a city where resilience and innovation are celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to make an impact.

Our Commitment to Upholding Our Shared Principles

At BWB Chicago, we are dedicated to fostering a space where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered. Rooted in the 10 Principles of Burning Man, we strive to uphold these shared values in every interaction, project, and initiative.

One of our guiding values is also "Ask First", which emphasizes the importance of proper consent and mutual respect. By embracing this principle, we ensure that:

• Consent is prioritized in all interactions, creating an environment of trust and safety.

• Diverse voices are welcomed and heard, fostering inclusion and equity.

• Boundaries are respected, and we encourage open dialogue to understand each other’s needs.

• Accountability is embraced, both as individuals and as a community, to continuously improve and grow.

By intentionally creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment, we can empower creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connection. Every member of our community has a role to play in upholding these values, and together, we can build spaces where everyone feels they belong.

Let’s work together to create a culture of consent, kindness, and inclusion, ensuring that every person in our community is valued and respected for who they are.

Anti-Racist Pledge

BWB Chicago is committed to anti-racism in our actions, policies, and community engagement. We recognize that systemic racism is a barrier to equity and justice, and we pledge to:

• Listen and learn from marginalized voices.

• Challenge systems of oppression through action and advocacy.

• Foster inclusion by creating spaces that honor and amplify diverse perspectives.

• Hold ourselves accountable for ongoing growth and reflection as individuals and as an organization.

Addressing systemic inequality is essential to achieving our mission of building stronger, more connected, and resilient communities.

FROM THE NATIONAL SITE:

BWB Mission

BWB promotes activities worldwide that harness a community’s inherent capacity to thrive. By encouraging innovative approaches to community resilience, disaster response, and grassroots initiatives, we aim to make a lasting positive impact.

BWB Theory of Change

We believe that inspirational stories and prototypes, paired with learning opportunities and network support, create leaders ready to launch impactful projects. These efforts not only strengthen local communities but also foster a global network of connection, creativity, and resilience.

4 Pillars of Programming

1. Experiment
   Fostering the development of project concepts and prototypes.
   
   

2. Amplify
   Sharing inspiring stories through storytelling and media.
   
   

3. Learn
   Creating opportunities for learning and teaching within the community.
   
   

4. Connect
   Building networks and offering facilitation and support.
   
   

BWB History

BWB began in 2005 as an impromptu response to Hurricane Katrina. Following the Burning Man event that year, several participants traveled to the affected areas to assist in rebuilding efforts. Their first major project focused on restoring a destroyed Vietnamese temple in Biloxi, Mississippi. With the project completed, they shifted their attention to the town of Pearlington, where they continued to provide aid and support.

Over the course of eight months, BWB volunteers contributed over $1 million in reconstruction and debris removal efforts to the residents of Mississippi. What started as a spontaneous act of service has evolved over the last two decades into a global program that remains true to its roots: a creative, community-led expression of the Burning Man Project’s 10 Principles in action.

Join us in shaping the future of community resilience and innovation. Together, we can ignite creativity, build connections, and make meaningful change.