Circular Economy Academy: Doughnut Economics with Leonora Grcheva

On February 4, ARNO held the second module of the Circular Economy Academy online, diving into a fresh perspective beyond circularity—Doughnut Economics. The session, titled “Beyond  Circular Economy: Introduction to Doughnut Economics,” was led by Leonora Grcheva from the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL, UK). This was the first time ARNO introduced the Doughnut Economics framework, and given its relevance, we extended the invitation beyond the 12 participating organizations to include mentors, experts, and ARNO collaborators. The response was overwhelming—40 participants joined, fully engaged in discussions, and eager to explore this alternative economic model.

Why Doughnut Economics? Doughnut Economics, popularized by Kate Raworth’s 2017 book “Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist,” presents a model that balances human well-being with planetary boundaries. The core idea is simple: humanity should aim to live within the doughy part of the doughnut—ensuring that no one falls short on essential needs (the social foundation) while also not exceeding ecological limits (the planetary boundaries).
Leonora took participants through key concepts, including:
🔹 Why we need new economic models – Traditional economic theories drive overproduction and resource depletion. Circular economy helps but doesn’t fully address social and environmental injustices.
🔹 Understanding planetary boundaries – Our global economy is extracting resources at unsustainable rates. For instance, Macedonia’s Country Overshoot Day in 2025 is projected for July 14th—meaning that if the world lived like Macedonians, we would need nearly two Earths’ worth of resources. The US? A staggering 4.9 planets.
🔹 The reality of circularity – Currently, only 7.2% of global materials are cycled back into the economy. The rest? Wasted, lost, or stuck in long-term infrastructure, increasing the pressure on natural resources. Recycling alone is not enough—we must slow down production and rethink consumption.
🔹 Doughnut Economics in action – Cities, businesses, and local governments worldwide are experimenting with the model, using it as a compass for decision-making, from urban policies to corporate strategies.

Beyond Circularity: A Holistic Approach
The session also touched on the hidden costs of supply chains—unethical sourcing, labor exploitation, and environmental degradation. Even within circular models, there’s a risk of perpetuating social inequalities if human rights violations in production and resource extraction go unchecked.
“A very interesting session—this was my first time encountering this economic framework. What stood out the most was how practical and applicable it can be. If used correctly, it can be beneficial not only for businesses, social enterprises, and startups but also for municipalities, institutions, and all sectors involved. At the same time, it aligns with protecting nature and preserving resources. I believe this approach could be useful in North Macedonia, and we should work on integrating new methods and ways of operating, especially within organizations, municipalities, and institutions.” – Darko Tošić, Equinox Scout Štip, one of the organizations developing a business model within the Academy.

The Takeaway? We need to rethink economic success, prioritize balance over infinite growth, and ensure no one is left behind. Doughnut Economics offers a pathway for this—a practical vision for a fairer, more sustainable future. This second module of the Circular Economy Academy sparked vital conversations, and we’re excited to see how participants will integrate these ideas into their work.

The Circular Economy Academy is part of the project “Civil Society and Youth for Inclusive and Sustainable Development through Circular Economy in North Macedonia,” funded by the European Union. The project is led by People in Need (PIN) in partnership with ARNO, Leaders for Education, Activism and Development (LEAD), and Ekovita.