Pillars
Building the foundation for a thriving bioregion
With long term resilience in mind, we are designing three pillars to support the emergence of a healthy bioregion. The pillars give a central role to civil society alongside policymakers, statutory bodies and experts. A knowledge network will enable the ready exchange of information; collaborative decision making will release agency; a finance facility will enable action. Because the pillars are interconnected, we are addressing them simultaneously.
Inspiration: Ágora Valencia Pavilion / Miguel Arraiz + Arqueha
Our core pillars
Data & evidence
When we understand and use data, we can take ownership of our shared resources. It is the capacity of citizens to collect, share, interrogate and use data that will give us a role in managing common pool resources such as water and biodiversity, as well as social systems such as health care and food. Information, paired with lived experience, is the foundation of informed decision making.
Governance & organisation
An agreed structure and way of working enables collaboration and decision making, this we know. We also know that collaboration needs to be sustained and celebrated or the process reverts to a previous state. We’re building fulfilling ways for citizens and policymakers to work together with the shared purpose of climate adaptation, utilising data and evidence being collected by citizens.
Funding & resourcing
Resourcing a bioregion differently means conceiving of, and interpreting ‘value’ differently. This requires a new model and financial instruments to fund it. We’re synthesizing research and starting to shape a pilot scenario that links together a suite of philanthropic and investment vehicles that can be replicated elsewhere without the need for mega philanthropic funding.
How do the pillars work together?
The Devon Doughnut shows that you can't think about the domain of Education without Political Voice, or Habitat Health without Land Use Change, or Income & Work without Air Quality. The planet's Ecological Ceiling is tied to our Social Foundation. In a similar way, the pillars are connected. Data supports collaborative enquiry, generating outcomes that inspire funding confidence. The purpose is to bring about actions to improve life in all 22 of the Devon Doughnut's domains. And, of course, the practices of action learning and communications are integral in informing the process and sharing the journey.
How our pillars work together
Our Data & Evidence pillar invites communities to develop and share useful information about their bioregion. This informs decision-making and resource management.
Informing governance & organisation
Data insights guide policy decisions and organisational strategies.
Supporting funding & resourcing
Evidence-based projects attract funding and resources.
Data & evidence
We bring citizens and policymaking closer together, creating opportunity for devolved decision-making and climate resilience.
Utilises data & evidence
Policies and decisions are based on robust local data.
Directs funding & resourcing
Governance structures allocate resources to priority areas.
Governance & organisation
Our pioneering bioregional funding ecosystem builds community and ecological wealth and can be replicated without mega-philanthropic funding.
Enables data & evidence
Funds support data collection and analysis projects.
Empowers governance & organisation
Resources allow for implementation of governance strategies.
Funding & resourcing
