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Doughnut Dreams and the Dream Spiral
An activity to imagine your vision of a future when we are all living in the Doughnut
Version 1.0 (September 2020)
Overview
In this creative activity participants are invited to express their vision of a future when we are all living in the Doughnut. This can be done visually by drawing on a blank Doughnut template and / or a written or spoken story of that vision. And it can be taken in many directions, such as turning the visuals into a gallery or a spiral, or turning the stories into a book or a play. If done as a collective, the activity can start with an optional visioning exercise to help participants access a more creative and imaginative space.
Why do it?
- Visioning is an enormously powerful activity for opening people’s sense of possibility
- The simplicity and flexibility of this activity means it’s suitable for everyone and can be adapted in many ways
- It’s fun and can be enjoyed by everyone, including those who participate and those who get to see and hear the visions that have been created
Who is it for?
Educators | Communities
How long does it take?
20 minutes
How many people is it for?
Any number
What materials do I need?
Print-outs of the blank Doughnut template on white cardboard, drawing / colouring materials and if you’re making the spiral you’ll need scissors and glue
Acknowledgements
Original idea and lesson plan by Rob Shorter of DEAL. Time machine idea from Rob Hopkins of Transition Network. Doughnut Dream picture drawn by Siri Krznaric, age 11. Additional contributions from Kate Raworth, Carlota Sanz, Andrew Fanning of DEAL and Stephanie Leite.
Links
Open the Doughnut Dreams activity guide in Google Doc
Making a Doughnut Dream Spiral
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This tool is licensed under a Creative Commons BY SA 4.0 license. For full details visit our Licensing Rules. 
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Member
Carra Santos
Bath, BANES, UK.
With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of creativity, innovation, sustainable development, and social/behavioural insight, I help people and organisations navigate seemingly disconnected perspectives, disciplines and contexts, while nurturing shared understanding, trust and alignment - strengthening how they communicate, collaborate and build. I began exploring Doughnut Economics around 2017, attending events from 2019, and becoming a DEAL community member on its launch in 2020. My interest in economics increased during my 2021 'Sustainable Development in Practice' Masters dissertation on narrative framing and communication of degrowth practices to UK business leaders, which examined the difference between degrowth, growth-agnostic and growth-led perspectives. I started the Doughnut Economics group in Bath, UK in 2022 which evolved into Collaborative Bath in 2024, which I ran in until May 2025. I continue to support it ad hoc, and a number of councils, universities and enterprises with local outreach and engagement. Email me or join me on LinkedIn.
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Member
Quynh Bui
Paris, Île-de-France, France
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Member
Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl
Berlin, Deutschland
Father, husband and systems thinker.
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Member
Cristobal Blanco Garcia
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Member
Andrew Fanning
Cádiz, Spain
Data Analysis & Research Lead at DEAL. I'm interested in ways to 'translate' the global Doughnut to smaller scales, from neighbourhood to nation (and beyond). Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Leeds. Contact me by going to the DEAL contact form, and select 'Research & Data Analysis'.
