What if the measure of a town's success wasn't just how busy it looks, but how much everyone — people, community and planet — genuinely gets

This October, a two-day gathering as part of Pathways to Policy — Global Doughnut Days brings together researchers, policymakers, community organisations, artists, activists, businesses and residents in Middlesbrough. Together, we'll explore one of the most urgent questions facing us today: what does it really mean to thrive — not just economically, but socially and environmentally too?

Hosted by the Pathways to Policy project — led by the Institute for Collective Place Leadership at Teesside University in collaboration with Boro Doughnut CIC — this isn't a conference where you sit and listen. It's a gathering built on honest reflection, creative practice and collective action.

Day One — Friday 16 October, 10am–4pm

Compered by Tracey Wright, the day opens with the powerful People's Emergency Briefing (2026) and the inspiring documentary The Land Remembers (2025), before moving into keynote talks and facilitated conversations exploring what can be done now for a thriving, sustainable Middlesbrough. Roll up your sleeves in hands-on workshops — including Where Credit's Due, facilitated by Rob Hawkes and Robyn Ollette, continuing last year's Global Donut Days exploration of ecosocial justice — and discover the Twin City project, facilitated by Rumana Yasmin, connecting Middlesbrough's lived experience with international practice on using arts as a vehicle for change. Get a first look at Middlesbrough's updated Doughnut Economics Data Portrait alongside striking documentary photography by Rachel Deakin, offering an honest picture of where the town is thriving — and where there's still work to do. The day culminates in a panel discussion on the role of changemakers in systems change, facilitated by Azadeh Fatehrad and Emi Imai, bringing together local politicians, council leadership, and community voices to talk about what comes next.

Day Two — Saturday 17 October, 10am–2pm

Day Two turns ideas into action, with a hands-on, drop-in feel for all ages. Get creative in the Twin City Folk Tales workshop, unwind with a Sound Bath from Trulyres Sound Healing, and help shape Middlesbrough's future through Boro Doughnut's community asset mapping. Learn to care for and repair what you already own — from Furbd's device repair and component familiarisation drop-ins, to general mending, sewing and electricals at the Repair Café, to upcycling wood with Sawdust's youth club activity building earth seats. Step outside for Rekalibrator's permaculture labyrinth, and meet Eco Rangers' Edible Forest Garden Youth Club, showcasing their work and recruiting new members. Explore wellbeing, healthy and sustainable eating with Young Souls Events' Alex Young, and hear from Boro Doughnut's Next Gen Navigators as they share their journey, lessons learned, and an open invitation to take eco-social action of your own.

Drawing on three years of partnership between residents, businesses, Teesside University, Middlesbrough Council and community organisations, the event asks a bold question: are we measuring success in the right way? As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline approaches, and Middlesbrough looks ahead to its bicentenary in 2029, this is a chance to help shape what comes next.

Whether you're a climate activist, a community organiser, a council officer, a student, an artist, or simply someone who cares about the future of this town — you have a place in this conversation.

Come and bring your questions, your experience, and your ideas for what we urgently need to do NOW for a thriving Middlesbrough. For any questions please contact A.Fatehrad@tees.ac.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.