GDD - The public sector's role in making regenerative businesses possible

Regenerative businesses are a key component of doughnut economics - businesses which rethink their deep design.

While these businesses exist and raise in popularity, the role of the public sector in fostering these businesses remains underexplored.

Join for an interactive session where I present my transdisciplinary research on the topic.
We will have space for questions, interactions & some brainstorming activities. Some experts who participated in my research will join and share their insights as well.

Potential speakers include 

• Xiaoting Hou-Jones, Government & Policy Lead at DEAL, sharing insights on the Wellbeing Policy Design course
• Jessica Edioke from PURPOSE, working on research in steward-ownership

Register via this link: https://forms.gle/BFM5H6BWYVrQHk3JA the link for the Google Meets will be sent afterwards.

The research was conducted in collaboration with DEAL and Wellbeing Economy Alliance and is part of the Wellbeing Economy Policy Design Course development. 


Research abstract
In a world shaken by the climate crisis, erosion of democracy and accumulation of wealth and power, the role and success of businesses to combat these crises becomes increasingly relevant. This research explores the needed public policy measures for regenerative business models, which place wellbeing of all stakeholders and positive restoration at their core. Specifically, I examine the role of EU policymaking to foster (or hinder) these transitions through the lens of the deep design of business (purpose, ownership, networks, governance & finance). In this transdisciplinary study with Expert Roundtables and interviews, I analyse the emergent academic topic through the incorporation of the Double Diamond Model for Design Thinking, thematic analysis, stakeholder mapping and a Causal Loop Diagram to map interrelations. The results show how policymaking has diverse entry points for regenerative businesses like providing the necessary legal forms (e.g. steward ownership), making procurement more accessible (smaller contract sizes, criteria beyond price), reducing overrepresentation of corporate voices or providing experimental regulatory spaces to trial, fail and succeed. Changing education systems (redefining businesses’ purpose and success) and rewiring financial systems (more diverse financing means) arose as essential. A second layer of results are deeper-rooted systemic changes: on one hand narrative shifts beyond GDP on political levels, openness for positive change, also in geopolitically tense times, and cross-sectoral collaboration are needed to overcome dominant power structures. The inner dimension of change becomes imminent for these transitions. On the other hand, regenerative businesses offer approaches for current problems like a just and inclusive EU digital sovereignty reform or increased trust and engagement in democracy through democratic workplaces. This research demonstrates how alternatives to neo-classical business design exist, yet also how the public sector needs to actively support them to overcome power imbalances.

Keywords:
Regenerative business model design, innovative policymaking, transdisciplinary, social enterprises