Co-creation

Inclusive design in essential services. A practical guide for firms and suppliers, written by Bailey Kursar for the Money Advice Trust and Fair By Design and published in 2021, defines co-creation, co-design or participatory design as: ‘An approach to design that involves all stakeholders in the design process, including staff, experts, users and potential users, ensuring that solutions are useful and useable by all.’

Co-creation (collective creation) is creating together. Knowledge sharing between the project team and participants in developing a brief, strategy, vision, solutions, or initiatives using creative, participatory methods.

Usually, during work stages 0 to 1, co-creation can identify and define project objectives, goals, and performance criteria. By involving participants in the initial stages of a project, co-creation can ensure that the project's outcomes align with the community's needs and aspirations.

This can lead to more significant support and ownership of the initiative, helping to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness. Co-creation can also promote innovation and creativity by bringing diverse perspectives and ideas. Links to levels of engagement: co-creation can lead to nurturing a sense of agency with participants, and treat them equally, leading to a more collaborative process. This approach aims to understand better the needs, preferences, and perspectives of all parties involved. Co-creation seeks solutions that better meet the site's and participants' needs and positively impact the environment and society.