ON THE BLOG: Could a doughnut help us re-boot sustainability in Waverley?

Render of the Boot Factory courtyard - nearing completion in construction

A valuable compass in these efforts is the Doughnut Economics model, which gives us tools to ‘think in systems’ and see the interconnected nature of many of our social and ecological challenges and opportunities. Regen Sydney has been exploring the Doughnut model over the last three and a half years - collaboratively adapting the framework to the Sydney context, and connecting initiatives that share our mission to create a regenerative economy.

First sketch of a Sydney Doughnut - adapted from the original Doughnut Economics framework

Through Regen Waverley, participants will come together to further downscale the Doughnut model from the city to the neighbourhood. Regular activities will enhance understanding of regenerative economics and model participatory governance, forming a foundation for ongoing community resilience. Guided by the simple question - ‘what does good look like for Waverley?’ - the program aims to shift the collective paradigm from passive consumption towards active citizenship.

A walkshop held by Regen Sydney in Manly for Global Donut Day in 2023

Various forms of creative gatherings, workshops, dinners, films and other fun activities are planned for the coming 12 months, where Regen Sydney will look to connect up the diverse array of already existing regenerative initiatives. One of the goals of this program is to surface unusual alliances amongst participants, acknowledging that the expertise required to form a regenerative economy already exists within the community - however we need to join the dots between initiatives, finding a coherent and shared mission for change.

We’ll be hosting activities in three phases:

• Community Portrait. Firstly, participants will come together to draw from their diverse perspectives to articulate a collective vision for regeneration in Waverley. Doughnut Economics tools will help us to think in systems, whilst the emerging community of practice will be encouraged to express their highest hopes for the neighbourhood, including non-human perspectives. The activities of this phase will lead to a sketch of Waverley’s own Doughnut, to act as a compass for regeneration.
• Data Portrait. We will then explore relevant indicators for measuring progress in Waverley - in order to articulate how well the vision for social and ecological wellbeing is being realised. Participants (including residents and businesses) will help to develop these indicators as well as to form a dashboard that highlights their interconnections. Existing strategies and metrics held by Council will be examined, so that we may identify opportunities for more holistic measurement, as well as priority areas for action.
• Prototyping. In this phase, participants will turn their attention to these priority areas for action - those areas that will have been highlighted through the previous two phases of engagement  as needing more attention. Activities will help the group to form transition pathways, as well as to develop working groups, concepts and prototypes for their propositions. The ideas developed will be tested with the broader community to further detail them as pilot proposals.

This program draws upon the work of other leaders in the field, including Civic Square’s Neighbourhood Doughnut and Regen Melbourne’s Regen Streets. We encourage you to check out their work to get more of a sense of what’s possible, as we continue to learn and experiment together over the coming months.

We can’t do this alone and would love for you to join our WhatsApp group - by scanning the QR code below, or at this link - where you can stay in the loop and help us to roll the Doughnut in Waverley! 🍩

There are many events coming up as we get into the first phase of the program - please sign up below:

• REGEN WAVERLEY LAUNCH: Step Into the Doughnut
  • When: Sun 11th Aug 2024, 2-5pm
  • Where: Centennial Park, near Federation Pavilion
  • Register via Humanitix here
• OUTGROW THE SYSTEM: Documentary & Discussion
  • When: Sun 25th Aug 2024, 5-7pm
  • Where: Community Room, Margaret Whitlam Centre. Bondi Rd, Bondi Junction
  • Register via Humanitix here

Other phase 1 events (links coming soon):