-ECO-NOMY-

The global economy of the 21st century – so far – is not a very sustainable one. The economic paradigm formed after the Second World War and intensified after the fall of communism in Europe in 1989 fails in today’s complicated world. Social inequalities and environmental degradation are gradually worsening, driving us into multilateral crisis and an appalling ecological debt. What is worse – one is dependent on the other, so it is getting more and more difficult to dig out of such a self-prpelled mechanism. In an answer to that situation, Kate Raworth, an economist at the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University and a former Oxfam NGO researcher, has developed a theory that can help us set a better direction and visualise potential solutions. The Doughnut Economy postulates a complete change in economic thinking.
Instead of constantly talking about growing GDP, our goal should be to align all human life with what Raworth calls the «sweet spot», a situation where everyone has what they need for a good life while environmental damage is minimised. “What if we started economics not with its long-established theories, but with humanity’s long-term goals, and then sought out the economic thinking that would enable us to achieve them?”, she asked. Therefore, the aim of economic activity, she argues, should be “meeting the needs of all within the means of the planet” (Raworth, 2016). DE is an economic model which graphically looks like an American doughnut with a hole in it: hence its unusual but catchy name. The hole in the centre of this symbol is a space where all people have their basic necessities met (not only such as access to water and food, but also education, social welfare and political freedom of speech that are some of the 12 major social foundations that, as the name suggests, should be foundations for human well-being), as indicated by the UN in the 2030 SDG.
The outer ring of the doughnut consists of the Earth’s environmental limits, beyond which we inflict dangerous levels of climate change, ozone depletion, water pollution, loss of species and other assaults on the living world. The area between the two rings – the doughnut itself – is the “ecologically safe and socially just space” in which humanity should strive to live. The purpose of economics should be to help us enter that space and stay there. (The graphic explanation of DE can be found in the annex „Project details”). DE, apart from the environmental and social care, addresses as well the need for a paradigm that would help entrepreneurs to operate within those two rings: the social and climate boundaries. It calls for the shift from the ̈business as usual ̈ and addressing economical activity from another fresh perspective that will truly, without green washing, take the climate urgency into account. In order to do this, the approach is also concerned with the use of technology and digitalisation and urges a just, democratic and critical approach.

Below we present project objectives (PO):

• PO1. To improve 30 adult trainers’ expertise by exchanging good practises following the DE applied to non-formal and informal education
• PO2. To offer methodologies on working on sustainable entrepreneurship, digitalisation and climate change with adult learners following the DE applied to non-formal and informal education.
• PO3. To promote sustainable entrepreneurship, digitalisation and climate change following the DE applied to non-formal and informal education

Main activities are below:

• To run a Course for 30 adult trainers in Spain
• To create an interactive guide
• To implement 6 internal workshops (2 in each partner country, an online and offline one) for our NGOs ́ staff not participating in the project
• To implement an international Course for Adult Learners in Portugal for 24 adult learners from our partner countries
• To run 3 ( 1 in each partner country): Multiplier Events and Consultation Periods (for adult trainers from outside ofour Partnership) and 3 Follow Up Workshops for local adults.
• To carry out a dissemination plan, both online and offline.

Below we present results (R) to be expected.

• Having improved 30 adult trainers’ expertise by exchanging good practises following the DE applied to the field of non-formal and informal education.
• Having offered methodologies on working on sustainable entrepreneurship, digitalisation and climate change with adult learners following the DE applied to the field of non-formal and informal education
• Having transferred the knowledge to adult trainers from our organisations who were not on a project team on DE applied to the field of non-formal and informal education.
• Having improved 24 adult learners ́ knowledge on sustainable entrepreneurship, digitalisation and climate change following the DE.
• Having helped our adult trainers in transferring the skills and knowledge acquired through 3 Multiplier Events, 3 Consultation Periods and 3 Follow Up Workshops programmes.
• Having promoted sustainable entrepreneurship, digitalisation and climate change following the DE applied to the field of non-formal and informal education.

The expected impact will be:

For Adult learners:

1. They will have got to know more about CC and manners of contributing to adaptation to it
2. They will have got offered online training options in case of a lockdown or to be able to participate remotely
3. They will have got examples and hints for sustainable entrepreneurship that is not green washing

Adult trainers in our 3 NGOs

1. They will have got to know how alternative economies can shape the climate situation
2. They will have been able to work on sustainable entrepreneurship in a practical and innovative way
3. They will have got better at online working methods and tools