CO-CREATION ASSEMBLIES

Co-creation assemblies are events in which desirable possible futures are proposed, discussed and prototyped. In these assemblies, it is important to include as broad a range of stakeholders as possible, especially those who might be considered antagonistic to the campaign. Issues can be grouped into themes, with each theme assigned to a table. At each table, themes are discussed at length in order to find common ground and potential solutions. This exercise is also helpful in understanding the various ways in which participants perceive and address the issue, and how it fits into the community’s sense of itself. Following a co-creation assembly, a report with suggestions for future actions can be drafted to begin conversations with policymakers.

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Format Method, WorkshopTimeframe 2 hGroup Size AllFacilitation Level LowRequired Materials Pen and paper

Steps

  • Unpack the campaign issue into key themes, thinking about what the pillars of this issue are. For noise pollution, for example, you might identify the cause of the noise as one theme; another as the architecture and urban planning that have enabled this noise pollution; and a third as the law, policy and health concerns associated with noise pollution.
  • Identify the thought leaders on each theme. Key experts can bring credibility and sensible mediation to discussions on your chosen themes. Their role is not to make decisions, but to guide the conversation andrnmoderate using their expert knowledge of what works and what does not.
  • Give each table a theme, with each led by an expert on the field. For a balanced discussion, aim to arrange each table so it includes those affected by the issue as well as those causing it.
  • Initiate a discussion mediated by the table leader, starting with a brainstorming session to open up the field of potential solutions. At this stage, it is important to establish compromise and fairness in opportunities to contribute. By going on to map these potential solutions, some can be explored and proposed as a co-created solution to the problem.

Benefits

When people collaborate in the creation of something, they are more likely to agree and support its implementation. By co-creating the change you want to see, and doing so in concert with those who are part of the issue to begin with, you can create a solution that works for everyone.

Tips

Keep in mind the following guiding question while implementing this method: Where do our needs and wants converge with those of others?
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