In 2025, Partners for a New Economy launched a learning series for philanthropists and funders who sense that the economy is working against the change they want to see in the world.
These sessions bring together funders who may be working in another field (such as climate change, inequality, conservation, or grassroots communities), but sense that the challenges they are facing are connected to and compounded by, the economy.
Systems change and “the economy” can both feel abstract, dense, even overwhelming. So we start somewhere concrete: what vision do we have for a new economy? A society where housing, childcare, transport, adult social care, internet access, and nutritious food are guaranteed. Clean energy is abundant and affordable in climate-resilient societies. Local food is at the centre of the community, not a commodity that enriches corporations at the expense of people’s health. These visions aren’t outlandish or unrealistic, but achieving them requires systemic change.
The place that we start is what vision do we have for a new economy? …These visions aren’t outlandish or unrealistic, but they do require thinking about system change.
That means unpicking some deeply held assumptions about our economic model. How do we treat nature more like an ally and as key climate infrastructure rather than a commodity? Is inequality the price we pay for progress? These aren’t easy questions — but the evidence points to the answers. Countries with lower inequality have better social outcomes. ‘Pricing in’ nature does not capture its critical value and role. Once you can see the system working against these facts, the challenge becomes knowing where to start. Our learning journey is designed to walk through different entry points to these big questions.
Once you can see the system working against these facts, the challenge becomes knowing where to start. Our learning journey is designed to walk through different entry points to these big questions.
Case studies sit at the heart of the learning journey — showing what is already happening and demonstrating how change happens. Amsterdam is one of the most compelling examples: a city that is working to redesign its economy to meet everybody’s needs whilst keeping life within ecological limits. We trace the journey it has taken to adopt a doughnut economics model, and what that means in practice.
Funders often ask: What role can I play? We explore that together — from joining philanthropic coalitions with shared goals, to piloting something new. We look at the full landscape of economic transformation: from movement building to research, place-based transition to alternative financial systems. There are more entry points than most people realise.
Funders often ask: What role can I play? We explore that together — from joining philanthropic coalitions with shared goals, to piloting something new
At the end of last year, we were invited to deliver a learning session to City Bridge Trust as they are developing new programmes. It became a deeper, in-person participatory workshop — and a reminder that this learning journey isn’t just informational. It’s the start of a conversation that organisations are increasingly ready to have.
If you’re a funder and interested in these sessions, contact Lucinda: lhardwick@p4ne.org
Fran Boait
Fran is a coach, consultant, and writer. She spent over a decade as the Executive Director of an international new economy think tank and campaigning organisation, Positive Money. She has written for the Guardian, Prospect magazine, the Financial Times, The Ecologist, Huffington Post, iPaper, and Open Democracy amongst others.