Doughnut Economics
April 30, 2024
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You might have heard of economic growth measured by GDP,
Be Different. Make A Difference.
Creating a Wellbeing
Economy for All
We are excited to introduce you to our joint initiative, which aims to transform Vermont’s economy into a sustainable, prosperous system that benefits everyone who calls Vermont home.
Who We Are
A Network of Networks
The Vermont Prosperity Project facilitates creative conversations across Vermont about our economy and the beliefs, values, and aspirations that shape and reshape it. We demystify and expand how we think about the economy, explore strategies within reach to transform our economy, and learn how Vermonters are practicing those strategies now.
Our Vision
Our vision is an economy where we meet the needs of all people within the means of a living planet. We recognize that we cannot solve the multiple and interconnected crises facing us all without transforming our current economic system.
Inspired by the principles of ecological economics and the UN Sustainable Development goals, we have been exploring the growing global movement of communities, businesses, cities, and countries who are gathering around the Doughnut Economics framework, the Wellbeing Economy Alliance movement, the Circular Economy movement, and others like it.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to align the actions of public, private, and non-profit organizations so that by 2035, Vermont’s social foundations are met for all, within the ecological ceiling of the planet. In essence, Vermont citizens self-report high levels of well-being, and our state’s metrics are solidly “inside the doughnut.” We aim to mobilize Vermont policymakers to solve complex crises—such as housing, income inequality, workforce development, and climate change—by taking an interconnected systems approach to societal and economic change.
Creating lasting impact
Our Strategies
Conversations
We design and host generative gatherings with small to large groups of people to engage in conversation and deepen connections across the state.
Storytelling
We celebrate and increase awareness about the ways people are practicing and envisioning different economic patterns in Vermont.
Network Weaving
We connect people, projects, and ideas across different sectors and power structures, creating a strong network of change-makers.
Education
We host gatherings, workshops, and courses to learn together about economic theories, histories, models, frameworks, and philosophies.
Next Generation
We create opportunities for a new generation of visionary leaders to participate in creative and whole-systems thinking in Vermont, challenging outdated narratives and grounding in our new climate reality.
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for policy changes that support a Wellbeing Economy and work closely with Vermont legislators to adopt wellbeing-focused goals, policies, and budgets.
Our Timeline
Our work is tended by a group of change agents and skilled facilitators who design and create conversations, connections, and collaborations around living well with the living earth. We are actively engaged in systems change work in Vermont and many of us are moored with organizations also committed to the Vermont Prosperity Project’s vision.
We believe in the transformative power of collaboration and community conversations that inspire a sense of belonging, hope, and confidence in our capacity to create a different economic future.
We believe in the transformative power of collaboration and community conversations that inspire a sense of belonging, hope, and confidence in our capacity to create a different economic future.
November 2023
Participated in the first ever Global Donut Day by encouraging Vermonters to attend various talks and presentations by people around the planet taking a doughnut economics approach to transforming their communities.
December 2023
Hosted a Two Loops Model: Designing for Transformation workshop led by Abundant Sun and New Frameworks (a multi-racial, women-, queer- and trans-owned worker cooperative committed to a kinder sort of building).
March 2024
Hosted the ‘economy day’ with the 2023-24 class of the Vermont Leadership Institute focused on Doughnut Economics and the Two Loops Model.
March 2025
Hosted the ‘economy day’ with the 2024-25 class of the Vermont Leadership Institute focused on Doughnut Economics and the Two Loops Model.
October 2024
Designed our plan for 2025.
July 2024
Designed our governance structure and deepened trust and relationship between team members.
April 2024
On behalf of Vermont, joined United States coalitions for a solidarity economy, just transition, and well-being economy from Puerto Rico, Hawai’i, California, Washington, and Appalachia convened in D.C. by New America and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
April 2024
Participated in the launch event of UVM’s Planetary Health Initiative.
March 2024
Hosted the ‘economy day’ with the 2023-24 class of the Vermont Leadership Institute focused on Doughnut Economics and the Two Loops Model.
December 2023
Hosted a Two Loops Model: Designing for Transformation workshop led by Abundant Sun and New Frameworks (a multi-racial, women-, queer- and trans-owned worker cooperative committed to a kinder sort of building).
November 2023
Participated in the first ever Global Donut Day by encouraging Vermonters to attend various talks and presentations by people around the planet taking a doughnut economics approach to transforming their communities.
November 2023
Hosted Exploring Doughnut Economics in Vermont, an event with renowned author and economist Kate Raworth and 75 leaders from organizations whose work is connected to the Doughnut Economics framework she has developed. In her talk, Kate shared her vision for a healthy, sustainable economy that meets the needs of all people without exceeding our ecological limits.
September 2023
Hosted an event with policymakers at the Vermont State House featuring Sophie Howe, the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, exploring the potential of a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act for Vermont. The following day Sophie spoke to over 400 students at the University of Vermont, encouraging them to be involved in shaping their economic future on our living planet.
April 2023
Hosted a kick-off event with 120 changemakers featuring presentations about Doughnut Economics and the Two Loops Model, along with small group table conversations about our visions for living well within the limits of our living planet.
April 2023
Aligned with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), a global network of initiatives working toward the shared goal of meeting the social foundation of needs for all within the limits of our living planet.
January 2023
Since our founding in 2023, the Vermont Prosperity Project has been busy!
Our Events
Stay Connected with Our Events
The Vermont Prosperity Project is a collaborative, emergent initiative that works to seed definitions of prosperity and progress rooted in social and ecological wellbeing by asking the question: what makes for a good life?
Who’s Involved
The Vermont Prosperity Project is currently a partnership between the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, UVM GUND Institute for Environment, Abundant Sun LLC, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll), and the Vermont Council on Rural Development.
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Send us a message
Let's Get In Touch
Thank you for your interest in the Vermont Prosperity Project! We’re excited to connect with individuals and organizations who share our vision of a sustainable, equitable economy.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us using the form below. We will do our best to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.
hello[@]vtprosperityproject.com