This research presents an adapted Doughnut Economy model designed to navigate and address key ecological and social challenges in three selected Balkan cities: Zenica, Belgrade, and Rijeka. Building on Raworth’s original Doughnut framework, aligned with the SDG 2030 and incorporating modifications developed by the Institute for Political Ecology in Zagreb, the study proposes a “transformative Doughnut model” tailored to the specific socio-ecological context of the Balkans. The model employs 33 indicators that highlight the need to balance ecological sustainability with human well-being. Despite differing historical, political, and economic contexts, the findings reveal shared patterns of environmental degradation and social inequality. The proposed “Balkan Doughnut” serves as a public policy tool and a replicable framework capable of fostering regional cooperation, constructing a unifying narrative, and positioning civic participation as central to sustainable solutions. Furthermore, the model aims to bridge academic, civil society, and institutional efforts toward a more resilient and equitable Balkan future.
Safet Kubat (Wed,) studied this question.