On 14 July, Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI), European Network of Living Labs  (ENoLL), TU Dortmund University (TUDO), Science Gallery Dublin (SDG) and Thess-AHALL (AUTH partner) hosted the second two-hour online workshop of the CoRRI Network - First Cycle of Workshops.

This workshop was the second in a series of four workshops planned for July 2020 under the framework of the CoRRI Network of the SISCODE project. The workshop focused on the second stage of the SISCODE co-creation journey: Problem Reframing. The workshop narrowed down its focus on the workability and application of the tool Idea Card. To commence the exercises, a total of 12 participants from the workshop used the key challenge selection process to identify a common realistic ‘problem’ to address in groups. These problems were identified in the pre-assessment by the participants. The most relevant problems identified were the following:

  • How to ensure the sustainability of co-created solutions?
  • How to develop a stronger participatory culture among publics, including vulnerable groups?
  • How to create a real collaboration culture in the fab lab context?
  • How to ensure that the emergence of new technologies is not creating unethical/harmful practices, while also not slowing down innovation?
  • How to develop co-creation of a community communication lab?
  • How to apply co-creation as a way to make citizen involvement with emerging technology more relevant for city procurers and policy makers?
  • How to make cultural organisations socially sustainable by making them reach more audiences?

The participants addressed the first three problems and were then divided into working groups assigned with one moderator and one co-facilitator with experience in the co-creation fields each . There was also a head moderator in charge of ZOOM and any technical points of delivering the workshop. Each group discussed and tackled the pre-selected ‘problem’ collectively using the common board on the collaborative platform Deskle and breakout rooms via ZOOM, simultaneously. At the end of the workshop, the participants delegated one of their group-mates to present their topic of discussion and the conclusions they reached to all the workshop participants. To finalise the workshop in a fun and relaxing atmosphere, the participant expressed their feelings using a ‘Blob tree’ .  

A survey was provided to all willing participants to fill in and the overall responses were positive and optimistic. The participants are aware the cycle of workshops aims to help professionals experience a smoother transition to the online co-creation activities by learning on how to apply a combination of available resources such as the SISCODE toolbox and its methodology, Deskle, ZOOM and facilitator/s’ guidance. Based on the responses from the survey, this workshop managed to make progress within a group of participants in meeting this end. Aside from the use and functionalities of new online interactive tools, the participants also expressed their pleasure in having discussed delicate topics such as co-creation with/for the vulnerable groups. Some of the difficulties participants have experienced were either technical or regarding the doubts on using IDEA CARD canvas, especially concerning the key terms such as needs and activities. These are learning curves which surely will be improved by joint forces upon in the upcoming cycles.      

The participants are once again invited to join the CoRRI Network team in the upcoming two workshops: Registration is now open to all interested participants from the public. The third workshop will take place on 21 July, 15.00-17-00 CEST and the fourth workshop will be on 28 July, 15:00 – 17:00 CEST.  

For further information, please contact us at: olgaglumac@spi.pt; tedoraaibu@spi.pt