About DEAL

Doughnut Economics Action Lab - how we are turning Doughnut Economics from a radical idea into transformative action.

Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) is part of the emerging global movement of new economic thinking and doing. Our aim is to help create 21st century economies that are regenerative and distributive by design, so that they can meet the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. We call this Doughnut Economics. 

We work with changemakers worldwide – in communities, education, cities and places, business and government and more – who are turning the ideas of Doughnut Economics into transformative action and aiming to bring about systemic change. 

Our name is very intentional: we are focused on action and always learning through experiment.

DEAL was founded as a Community Interest Company in July 2019, and we launched our Community Platform online in September 2020. 

DEAL's approach to economic transformation

Here's what DEAL does, working across three levels of transformational change:

Reframing economic narratives

DEAL promotes paradigm change by providing compelling thought leadership on economic transformation, drawing on the core concepts of Doughnut Economics.

Influencing strategic policy

DEAL engages in high-leverage opportunities to influence policy making within governments and the business sector in order to unlock the structural changes required to achieve systemic transformation.

Innovating with the DEAL Community


DEAL works with pioneering changemakers to co-create tools and methodologies that turn the ideas of Doughnut Economics into action, start making new economic possibilities visible, and inspire others to act. 

Our Strategic Principles

And here's how DEAL does it – our strategic way of working:
Don't be the movement - join the movement
DEAL creates tools that can be integrated into the work of others, so that we connect with and help to build the wider movement for economic transformation. We also collaborate in high-leverage partnerships that help to spread the ideas far and wide.
Unleash the power of peer-to-peer inspiration
People are often most inspired by someone like themselves who is already doing that thing they thought was impossible. That's why we highlight and celebrate the innovations led by the DEAL Community: they create big ripples.
Balance openness with integrity
We invite changemakers to innovate with the concepts of Doughnut Economics, and so we also define clear boundaries to protect the integrity of those concepts to ensure that they don't get misused or watered down.
Be agile and adaptive
DEAL's strategy and collaborations respond to circumstance and evolve when new opportunities emerge.
Small team, big impact
We collaborate with far-reaching platforms, networks and allies to spread the ideas far and wide.
Go where the energy is
We don't waste time knocking on shut doors: we work with the changemakers who are already in action, and there are plenty of them.

Meet the DEAL Team

Learn more about the members of the DEAL Team and DEAL’s advisory team

Join the Community

If DEAL's approach to economic transformation appeals to you, do take a look around and considering joining the DEAL Community

Thank You

Doughnut Economics Action Lab would not exist without the support, advice and generosity of many people, so we would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who has helped to create and shape what DEAL is today. 

About DEAL

Join the DEAL Community!

Get inspired, connect with others and become part of the movement. No matter how big or small your contribution is, you’re welcome to join!