Doughnut Discovery Canvas - The Evolving Canvases

Overview

Doughnut Discovery Canvas aims to provide organizations a way to recognise the different aspects of sustainability they impact, help organisers gain a deeper understanding of their organisations goals, and network with other groups within their community to create closer ties. Originally created by CIVIC SQUARE, the canvas is now being adapted to increase user-friendliness and clarity. Future versions will continuously be updated on this page. 

Why use it?

This tool is meant for people who want to:

• Get started applying Doughnut Economics on the ground by exploring the work and organizations already existing in their locality
• Build a mutual understanding between themselves and local organizations through introducing the Doughnut
• Gather initial perspectives through qualitative data to get started on the Doughnut Portrait 

Who is it for?

This tool is meant for anyone wanting to start applying Doughnut Economics through connecting with what’s already there - sustainability organizations, community initiatives, etc. 

How long does it take?

The canvas is explored in a 2-hour workshop format. We recommend you follow this format as it allows enough time for deep conversations while not being too long that people start to be exhausted.

How to use it?

Version 3.0 

BEFORE THE WORKSHOP 

Send out a personal invitation to each organization’s representatives. Here’s a template: 

“Hello!

[Your name/name of your organization] would like to invite you to a workshop being held on [time]!

We are sending this invite to you at [invitee] because [reasons, preferably personal connections and collaborations]

The workshop is intended as an opportunity for organisations to recognise the different aspects of sustainability & community they impact, help members gain a deeper understanding of their organisations goals, and network with other groups within [your place] creating closer ties in the community.

More information about Doughnut Economics can be found here:

https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnut-economics

We are looking for 1 to 4 members of your organisation or group to attend for a max of 2 hours at the [place of workshop]. Some snacks (including donuts) will be provided!

What? Doughnut Discovery Workshop

Who? 1 - 4 members/organisers

Where? [place]

When? [time]

Attached is a picture of what it would look like during the workshop [you can use DEFI’s workshop picture, for example]

Please get back to us when you can, it helps us set up the workshop and prepare enough snacks for everyone!"

DURING THE WORKSHOP

Version 3.0 Instructions:

1. Welcome & Settling In (10 min)
2. Introduce about yourself, or your organization (if you have one already) (5 min)
3. Explain the canvas (5 min)
4. Set the groups 
5. Put the organizations into pairs/groups of 3-4 (not too much, since deep conversations is the intention). 
6. Ask them to discuss the canvas with the other organizations in the group during the whole workshop. 
7. Purpose (5 min)

• In your personal view, what is the purpose of your organizations?
• Why does your organization exist, according to your view?

     8. Networks (15 min):

• Who are you most closely collaborating with? Put their names into the inner ring!
• Who are you more loosely collaborating with? Put their names into the outer ring!
• Who would you like to collaborate with more? Put their names outside the rings!

    9. Intro to Doughnut Economics (10 min):

• What is Doughnut Economics? Why did you get involved?

    10. Break (assess if needed, if yes then 5 min)

    11. Activities (10 min)

• What are your organization’s activities? Put them into each of the circles.

    12. Doughnut Dreams (20 min)

• Look at each of your activities. What dimensions of the Doughnut are your activities helping moving towards? Put that dimension on the inner rectangular connected to that activity.
• What dimensions of the Doughnut might your activity push the organization away from the Doughnut? Put that dimension on the outer rectangle  connected to that activity.

    13. Hope and Fears (15 mins)

• What are some things that can be seen from the outside of your organization when you are moving towards your goals? (Example: people come to events)
• What are some things that can be seen from the inside of your organization when you are moving towards your goals? (Example: agile decision-making system within the organisation)
• What are some things that can be seen from the outside of your organization when you are moving away from your goals? (Example: Negative perception of your organization)
• What are some things that can be seen from the inside of your organization when you are moving away from your goals? (Example: Disorganisation, recruitment problems)

    14. Break (assess if needed, if yes then 5 mins)

    15. Infrastructure for the future (10 min)

• What tangible things you might need to achieve your goals? 
• What intangible things you might need to achieve your goals?

    16. Next steps (5 min)

• What are your 3 next steps? These can be larger goals, but it can be good to specify shorter term actions to happen in the next week/few weeks.

    17. “I like, I wish” feedback (5 min) 

• Give post-its notes (recommended to color code the notes. Example: orange post-its for “I like”, green post-its for “I wish”) to the participants.
•  Ask if someone wants to share to the group their “I like, I wish” feedback.

   18. Wrapping-up

• Circle back to the workshop’s goals and check with the group if the goal has been achieved.
• Ask how could you/your organization help them to achieve their goals in the future?

How many people is it for?

The workshop works best with groups, ideally 6+ people, however, it can be held with a minimum of 2 people.

What materials do you need?

Worksheets for each group, pens. Additional paper and post-its can be useful but not necessary. Snacks and drinks  are always welcome at workshops.

What does the facilitator need to know or be able to do?

Being able to confidently facilitate and help guide the participants will benefit the workshop. Clear communication of the task and ability to monitor the participants and adapt to their needs will help keep the experience positive for the participants. Being aware of where breaks are needed and not interrupting the work flow unnecessarily is a real benefit.

Acknowledgements

CIVIC SQUARE
Doughnut Economics Action Lab
Rob Shorter
Duc Chu
Joseph Hallam
Ishaan Nivsarkar

Links

CIVIC SQUARE’s original Doughnut Discovery Tool:
https://doughnuteconomics.org/tools/doughnut-discovery-canvas 

Our first Doughnut Discovery Workshop: https://doughnuteconomics.org/stories/doughnut-discovery-workshop-how-we-got-started