This isn’t a food recipe—it’s a recipe for running a hands-on workshop using the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) tools. The “dish” is a structured, collaborative session where a group uses the Doughnut model to assess a local issue, business, or community and then generates actionable ideas that bring humanity into the safe and just space. It works because it combines the visual power of the Doughnut with the proven DEAL methodology of “create, explore, connect, and act,” giving you a ready-to-use framework for meaningful change.
Ingredients
- 1 printed A1 or large-format Doughnut poster (from the DEAL website, free to download) per group of 4–6 people
- Sticky notes (at least 3 colors per group; 50 per color)
- Markers (one per person, preferably fine-tip)
- Masking tape or blue-tack for posting notes
- A timer or stopwatch (phone works)
- Facilitator guide (printed from DEAL site) – 1 per facilitator
- Handout of the 4 lenses (Local, Governance, People, Planet) – 1 per participant
- Flip chart paper (2 sheets per group) for capturing ideas
- Laptop or tablet with internet access (for accessing DEAL resources, optional)
- Snacks and drinks for breaks (optional but recommended for longer sessions)
Instructions
- Set the space (15 min): Arrange tables so 4–6 people can sit together facing a wall or board where the Doughnut poster will be hung. Place sticky notes, markers, and handouts at each table. Ensure the Doughnut poster is visible to all.
- Introduce the Doughnut (15 min): Welcome participants and give a 10-minute overview of the Doughnut model: the inner ring (social foundation) and outer ring (ecological ceiling). Explain that the goal is to identify where the group’s topic (e.g., a local food system, a company’s supply chain) falls short of the foundation or overshoots the ceiling. Keep it simple—use the DEAL intro video if helpful.
- Choose the focus (5 min): As a whole group, decide on the specific issue or entity to analyze. Write it clearly on a flip chart. For example, “Our town’s food system” or “Our company’s packaging.” This focus will guide all subsequent steps.
- Explore the 4 lenses (30 min): In each group, assign one of the four lenses to each person or pair: Local (community and place), Governance (rules and power), People (social foundation), and Planet (ecological ceiling). Using sticky notes, each person writes down 3–5 examples of how the focus topic interacts with their lens—positive or negative. Place notes on the Doughnut poster in the relevant ring or wedge. Encourage specificity: “Food waste in our canteen” is better than “waste.”
- Connect the dots (20 min): After the notes are placed, have each group step back and look for patterns. Ask: Where do social and ecological issues overlap? Where are the tensions or trade-offs? For instance, “Cheap food for all” might conflict with “Reducing pesticide use.” Have groups draw lines or use a different colored note to mark connections. This step builds a systems view.
- Generate ideas (30 min): Now shift to action. Using a new color of sticky notes, each group brainstorms 5–10 ideas that address the identified gaps or overshoots. Frame them as “How might we…” questions. For example, “How might we reduce food waste while ensuring everyone has access to fresh produce?” Write each idea on a separate note.
- Cluster and prioritize (20 min): Have each group cluster similar ideas on the flip chart. Then, as a group, vote on the top 3 ideas using markers (each person gets 3 dots). Discuss why these rise to the top. Ensure the chosen ideas are specific, feasible, and have a clear owner or next step.
- Share and commit (15 min): Bring the whole room back together. Each group presents their top 2–3 ideas in 2 minutes. After all presentations, ask each participant to write down one personal commitment they will take away—something they will do within the next week to move one idea forward. Collect these commitments on a final flip chart to track progress.
- Wrap up and next steps (10 min): Summarize the key themes and commitments. Agree on a follow-up meeting date (e.g., in 4–6 weeks) to review progress. Provide the DEAL website and any relevant toolkits for further work. Thank participants and close.
Tips
- Substitutions: If you don’t have a printed poster, draw the Doughnut on flip chart paper with markers—it works just as well. For remote sessions, use a digital whiteboard like Miro with a Doughnut template.
- Time management: Stick to the timings strictly; use a timer visible to all. If a group is stuck, have them move to the next step and return later. The goal is momentum, not perfection.
- Common mistake: Letting one person dominate. Use round-robin (each person shares one idea in turn) to ensure equal participation. Also, avoid getting bogged down in jargon—keep language plain.
- Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the DEAL website and the specific tools (like the “Doughnut Unrolled” or “Business as Usual” worksheets) before the session. Print extra handouts in case of unexpected attendees.
Serving Suggestions
This workshop works best as a standalone 2–3 hour session, but it can also be served as a starter for a longer strategic planning day. Pair it with a short break for coffee and snacks to keep energy up. The output—a poster covered in notes and a list of commitments—can be photographed and shared with participants as a takeaway. For ongoing work, schedule a follow-up session to review progress and refine ideas.
Variations
- Business focus: Use the Doughnut to assess a company’s supply chain or product line. Replace the “Local” lens with “Customers” and “Shareholders.”
- School or youth group: Simplify the language and use a smaller Doughnut (A3). Focus on the school’s operations—food, energy, waste—and let students lead the idea generation.
- Community visioning: Instead of a specific issue, use the Doughnut to create a community vision. Ask “What would a thriving community look like?” and use the lenses to explore each dimension.
- Deep-dive on one wedge: If time is short, pick one wedge (e.g., climate) and go deep. This is useful for expert groups who already know the basics.
Storage and Reheating
The workshop outputs—sticky notes, posters, and commitments—should be stored immediately after the session. Take photos of all posters and notes and save them digitally (e.g., in a shared drive). Physically, keep the posters in a safe place for the next meeting. Follow up within 1–2 weeks with a summary email to participants. Reheat the momentum by scheduling a 30-minute check-in at the next team meeting, not a full workshop. The ideas will keep for months, but the energy fades quickly—act within a month for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people should be in a group? Ideally 4–6 per group. Smaller groups (3) may lack diversity of perspective; larger groups (7+) can become unwieldy and reduce individual participation. For a total of 12 participants, three groups of 4 works well.
Do we need a facilitator? Yes, at least one overall facilitator to keep time and guide the flow. If you have more than 15 participants, consider having a co-facilitator or a facilitator per table. The facilitator doesn’t need to be an expert in Doughnut Economics—just familiar with the steps and able to keep the group moving.
What if we don’t have a specific topic? That’s fine. Use the session to explore a broad theme like “our neighborhood” or “our organization.” The Doughnut works at any scale. If you’re truly stuck, use the DEAL “Explore” tool on their website, which guides you through topic selection.
Can this be done online? Yes. Use a video conferencing tool with breakout rooms and a digital whiteboard (Miro, Mural, or Google Jamboard). Pre-load the Doughnut template on the whiteboard. The steps are the same, but allow extra time for typing notes and navigating the digital space.
How do we measure success? Success is not just the number of ideas, but the quality of conversations and the commitments made. At the follow-up meeting, check if commitments were fulfilled. A successful workshop is one where participants leave with a shared understanding and at least one concrete action they feel ownership of.
What if we run out of time? If you’re short on time, cut the “Connect the dots” step (step 5) or shorten the sharing (step 8) to 1 minute per group. Prioritize steps 4, 6, and 7—they are the core of the workshop. Never skip the commitment step; it’s what turns ideas into action.
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