It's good news for small farms across the country, from July 2024 the Sustainable Farming Incentive will be open to all farms in England regardless of their size.
And Doughnut Economics Action Lab are looking for new case studies of inspiring initiatives that show what it means to aim to live within the Doughnut’s dimensions...
The Landworkers’ Alliance announced this week that as of July 2024 the Sustainable Farming Incentive will be open to all farms in England, regardless of size. This is great news for many of their members who operate farms and market gardens under 5 hectares as well as new entrants who would have previously been unable to meet the eligibility requirement of having ‘previously been in receipt of BPS (The Basic Payment Scheme).
This news comes after ten years of campaigning by the Landworkers’ Alliance; back in April 2014, in response to the dominant rhetoric of the times, which was, “Get Big or Get Out”, they organised a stunt outside the Defra offices where they set up a farmers’ market to demonstrate how small farmers are “feeding the future” and highlighted how Owen Paterson (then Agriculture Minister) was “in bed” with agribusiness... read their full announcement here!
The Dougnut Econmics Action Lab (DEAL) are looking for new, impactful, and inspiring initiatives that show what it means to aim to live within the Doughnut’s dimensions.
They are looking for examples of what is happening in practice any where in the world to be used in an upcoming update to their Dimensions of the Doughnut Tool.
These examples can help illustrate some of the range of actions happening around the world to inspire and encourage young people who are so aware of the social and ecological challenges globally, and many of whom are involved in leading action for change.
If you have a project you’d like to share get in touch with them here!
An uplifting example of how ‘ACT! as a Doughnut’ a small grassroots NGO based in Frankfurt, has engaged with the Doughnut Economics framework, as a group of students, teachers, social workers, and friends came together to learn, connect, and grow.
'Step into the Doughnut' tool in action
Reading their report one of the major challenges for them was the complexities within the German school system, marked by its rigid and bureaucratic nature, but the project found success through a Secondary School in Bad Homburg. The partnership led to innovative teaching methods that engaged students with the tools of the Doughnut Economics framework.
"The impact on the hearts and minds of the students, teachers and social workers involved goes beyond quantifiable numbers, but is arguably the most potent outcome of this project. We see ACT! as a Doughnut as a beginning in many incremental pushes to change the educational systems, towards integrating frameworks which have social and environmental awareness and responsibility at heart."
Their project is one example of the powerful impact of integrating formal and non-formal education, highlighting the need for adaptive, youth-centric programs. For a detailed look at the project's journey and outcomes, you can read the full case study here.
‘It’s all we have’: young climate activists on the state of politics around the world.
With elections affecting half the world’s population this year, young campaigners offer their views on the chances of real change.
Damian Carrington and Damien Gayle report The Guardian yesterday.
Photograph: Ewan Bootman/Rex/Shutterstock
Lauren MacDonald, 23, UK. Election date: 4 July
“We desperately need a change to a government that is actually ready to take urgent action to tackle the climate crisis,” says Lauren MacDonald, a campaigner with Uplift. “Currently, we have a [Conservative] government completely hell bent on expanding oil and gas production in the North Sea, despite the absolutely catastrophic impacts burning this oil would have on our planet.”
Designer Helen Kirkham made us smile this week with her one of a kind football made from 30 pairs of pre-loved boots, each with a story to tell, she deconstructed them, and engraved them with sustainable pledges from the football community.
‘We transformed these unique pieces into a ball filled with positive actions, stitched together to inspire football fans worldwide. head over to @pledge_ball to make your pledge ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final.’
