Youth For Ngong Forest -Living Within the Doughnut

Executive Summary

On October 16th, 2025, the Youth for Ngong Road Forest (YNRF) successfully hosted "Living Within the Doughnut," a powerful and multi-faceted event for Global Doughnut Day 2025. Building on their recent Trainer of Trainers workshop, the youth took full ownership of the Doughnut Economics framework, demonstrating a remarkable ability to translate complex theory into accessible, engaging, and deeply relevant local action.

The day was a vibrant tapestry of knowledge-sharing, symbolic action, and creative expression. It included a youth-led presentation on Doughnut Economics, a deeply symbolic tree planting exercise embodying the Doughnut's core principles, and powerful artistic interpretations through a live skit and an artist's showcase. The event was a profound success, proving that the youth are not just learning these concepts, but are actively becoming facilitators, storytellers, and strategic leaders capable of weaving a regenerative future for Ngong Forest and their community.

Event Overview: From Learning to Leading

Following their intensive introductory training, the YNRF took the bold step of designing and leading their own workshop. The theme, "Living Within the Doughnut," was a clear statement of their intent: to move beyond theory and explore what it means to practice these principles in their own lives and in the context of their beloved urban forest.

The day was structured around a powerful theme of co-discovery and action, bringing together YNRF members and community participants in a shared journey.

Part 1: The Presentation - Setting the Stage with Knowledge

The event began with a comprehensive and insightful presentation delivered by YNRF Chairperson, Joseph Ihachi Makokha. This was not a simple repetition of learned facts, but a thoughtfully crafted narrative that grounded Doughnut Economics in the reality of Ngong Road Forest.

Key Messages from the Presentation:

• Reimagining Thriving: The presentation opened with a powerful premise: "We are reimagining what it means to thrive, not just ECONOMICALLY, but ECOLOGICALLY and SOCIALLY." This immediately framed the Doughnut as a holistic tool for well-being.
• The Story of the Doughnut: The youth skillfully told the story of Kate Raworth and her frustration with traditional economics, which often treats the environment and social well-being as "external" issues. By sharing this origin story, they made the Doughnut feel personal and relatable - a tool born from a desire for a more just and balanced world.
• Connecting the Forest to the Doughnut: A critical connection was made when they declared, "Forests are Doughnut spaces in action." They explained how Ngong Forest already helps Nairobi "live within the Doughnut" by purifying air (Ecological Ceiling), storing carbon (Ecological Ceiling), and offering spaces for recreation and peace (Social Foundation).
• Localizing the Doughnut: The youth demonstrated a sophisticated understanding by applying the Doughnut's dimensions to their local context. They identified key local goals for the Social Foundation (e.g., "Youth education and green jobs," "Recreation and mental wellbeing") and the Ecological Ceiling (e.g., "Tree cover and biodiversity," "Waste management and forest protection").
• Learning from Global Stories: In a remarkable demonstration of learning from the global DEAL community, the presentation included a detailed case study of the Garvagh People's Forest Project in Northern Ireland. They shared how this community used the Doughnut to unify local projects and create a shared vision. This showed that YNRF sees their work as part of a global movement.
• A Call to Action for Ngong: The presentation concluded by translating the lessons from Garvagh into concrete applications for Ngong, including piloting youth-led micro-grants (Participatory Budgeting), reinforcing the idea of the forest as a shared commons, and hosting "Doughnut Circles" for reflection.

Part 2: The Tree Planting - Embodying the Doughnut

Moving from theory to action, one of the activities of the day was a deeply symbolic tree planting exercise. This was not just a simple act of reforestation; it was a physical embodiment of the Doughnut framework. Four trees were planted, each representing a core pillar of a regenerative and just community, directly linking the act of planting to the Social Foundation.

• Tree 1 - Represents People and Place: This tree symbolized the fundamental connection between the community's identity and the health of the forest. It represents the "Networks" and "Housing" dimensions of the Social Foundation, acknowledging that a healthy place to live is essential for a thriving community.
• Tree 2 - Represents Social Justice: This tree was a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of Ngong Forest are shared equitably. It stood for the principles of "Social Equity," "Peace & Justice," and "Gender Equality," affirming that a just space is a prerequisite for a safe space.
• Tree 3 - Represents Ecological Protection: This tree was a direct nod to the Ecological Ceiling. It symbolized the community's role as stewards of the forest's health, protecting its biodiversity, clean air, and water for future generations.
• Tree 4 - Represents Community Action: This tree symbolized the power of collective action and political voice. It represented the "Political Voice" dimension, affirming the youth's commitment to not just be passive observers, but active participants in the governance and protection of their forest.

This exercise was a powerful kinesthetic learning experience, turning abstract concepts into a living, breathing commitment rooted in the soil of Ngong Forest.

Part 3: Creative Expression - Making the Doughnut Come Alive

A key success of the day was the use of art and performance to communicate the essence of Doughnut Economics, making it accessible and emotionally resonant for all.

• The Doughnut Economy Skit: A group of YNRF members performed a brilliant and insightful skit. It depicted a "business-as-usual" scenario of extraction and inequality, followed by a transformative shift to a Doughnut-inspired economy of regeneration, fairness, and community well-being. Through humour and drama, they made the core principles of a "regenerative and distributive economy" tangible and understandable for everyone.
• The Artist's Showcase: Throughout the sessions, a local artist, Andrew, was actively engaged in a process of live visual harvesting. He listened to the discussions and, on a large canvas, visually translated the key concepts, connections, and feelings of the day into a vibrant work of art. This provided a real-time reflection of the group's co-discovery and created a beautiful, lasting record of the workshop's spirit.

Conclusion & The Way Forward

The "Living Within the Doughnut" event was a powerful demonstration of youth leadership in action. It marked a successful transition from the youth as learners to the youth as confident facilitators, storytellers, and strategic thinkers. The day was a testament to their deep understanding of Doughnut Economics and their ability to apply it in a way that is authentic, creative, and deeply rooted in their love for Ngong Forest.

As Joseph Ihachi so powerfully stated, "The forest doesn't need us to save it, it needs us to remember that we belong to it."

Building on the momentum and the specific applications identified in their presentation, the way forward for the Youth of Ngong Road Forest is clear:

1. Pilot a Youth-Led Micro-Grant Fund: Begin exploring a "Participatory Budgeting" model to fund small, innovative eco-projects led by youth.
2. Strengthen the "Commons" Narrative: Continue to reinforce through all activities and communications that Ngong Forest is a shared commons belonging to everyone - residents, youth, and nature itself.
3. Host "Doughnut Circles": Formalize the practice of hosting reflective "Doughnut Circles" after major activities to assess their impact on the Social Foundation and Ecological Ceiling, and to plan future actions.

This event was more than a workshop; it was, as the closing reflection stated, a declaration that "This forest onwards is our home, our economy, and our hope." The Youth of Ngong Road Forest are not just talking about the future; they are actively planting.