Co-Creation Aid Kit 4.0

We applied for the CoCreAid project to enhance social engagement between European higher education institutions (HEIs) and NGOs (particularly working with citizens from rural areas), addressing a key need highlighted in the European Commission's Higher Education Modernisation Agenda (2017). Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing trend of collaborations taking place entirely or partially in digital spaces due to significant physical distances, more and more collaborations between HEIs and NGOs are now being conducted digitally. A needs analysis by MUAS revealed that many of these projects fail due to a lack of effective digital tools. Thus, the CoCreAid project aims to develop a digital toolkit (CoCreAid Kit) to support collaboration between HEIs and NGOs, overcoming barriers specific to digital co-creation projects between HEIs NGOs working together with citizens from rural areas. By adapting methods from various disciplines to the co-creation context, CoCreAid provides digital tools to bridge social and spatial gaps, integrate rural citizens, and enhance co-creation projects, increasing the quality of thus project and their success, finally raising social impact across Europe.

The project's primary goal is to overcome barriers between HEIs and NGOs in digital co-creation projects. The use of the digital CoCreAid Kit will enhance digital competencies among these partners and extend access to citizens in rural areas, helping to address social challenges. As we develop the CoCreAid Kit, we'll demonstrate its impact on simplifying collaboration and boosting social engagement. Co-creation projects between NGOs and HEIs are increasingly crucial due to the increasing amount of social challenges in our society. These challenges can be addressed through successful co-creation between HEIs and NGOs. Particularly interest groups from rural areas are struggling to collaborate with HEIs, due to the special distance. Thus, the specific objectives of this project are: • To create awareness and understanding of transfer barriers in co-creation projects between HEIs and NGOs (PR1) • To develop a digital toolkit (PR2) • To increase digital capacity among HEI, NGO and citizens (PR3) • To improve the inclusion of citizens from rural areas via NGOs in projects with HEIs (PR3) • To scale the use of the digital tools to a broad target group, via multiplier events (PR4)

To achieve the project's objectives, we have implemented and completed the following activities: PHASE 1: EXPLORATION PR1: “Report on Digital Solutions for Co-Creation”: We compiled research results and best practices for digital co-creation. PR1-A1: Desk Research: We investigated digital solutions (e.g., platforms and interaction opportunities) for digital co-creation and identified existing best practices between HEIs and NGOs. PR1-A2: Qualitative Research: We conducted in-depth interviews to understand the requirements and expectations of actors regarding graphical user interfaces and digital methodologies in co-creation projects across European HEIs (academics leading projects, n=40) and NGOs (project coordinators collaborating with HEIs, n=40). PR1-A3: We synthesized the findings from both desk and qualitative research into a comprehensive report "Report on Digital Solutions for Co-Creation". PHASE 2: DEVELOPMENT PR2: “Digital Co-Creation Aid Kit 4.0”: Building on the "Report on Digital Solutions for Co-Creation," we developed an easy-to-use graphical user interface for HEIs, NGOs, and citizens. PR2-A1: We created the graphical user interface based on results from PR1. PR2-A2: We integrated co-creation tools into the graphical user interface, ensuring that suitable tools were suggested and explained to users. PHASE 3: IMPLEMENTATION AND REFINEMENT PR3: "Digital Co-Creation Tools Pilot Testing and Validation Report": We pilot-tested the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 in projects involving NGOs, HEIS, and citizens. We produced a validation report to inform further improvements of the Kit. PR3-A1: We completed pilot testing of the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 in 20 co-creation projects. PR3-A2: We validated the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 through a quantitative survey and focus groups. PR3-A3: Based on insights from the survey and focus group, we modified the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 into its final version. PHASE 4: EXPLOITATION AND VALORIZATION PR4: "CoCreAid Kit 4.0 User Guidelines": We aggregated experiences with the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 into guidelines customized for HEIs, NGOs, and citizens. PR4-A1: We developed a CoCreAid Kit 4.0 user guideline for HEIs. PR4-A2: We developed a CoCreAid Kit 4.0 user guideline for NGOs. PR4-A3: We developed a CoCreAid Kit 4.0 user guideline for citizens. PR4-A4: We disseminated the guidelines through partner networks and multiplier events.

Upon the completion of the project, NGOs and HEIs can successfully implement digital co-creation projects as an alternative to face-to-face activities. The project contributes to the efforts to overcome social and spatial barriers by transferring methods (e.g., appreciative inquiry, nudging, river of life) from various disciplines (e.g., engineering, social sciences, and economics) and knowledge domains (e.g., university-business cooperation, community engagement,) into the context of digital co-creation between HEIs and NGOs. The most important outcome is the CoCreAid Kit ("easy-to-use" graphical user interface (GUI)). This digital product, designed for NGOs, HEIs, and citizens, is accessible even with low digital competencies while simultaneously enhancing digital skills. The GUI provides various selection options and guides users through co-creation methods based on project progress, allowing interactive application of these methods. The following concrete outputs were achieved: PR1: “Report on Digital Solutions for Co-Creation” – Complication of research results and best practices for digital co-creation. PR2: “Digital CoCreAid Kit 4.0” – Building on the report, we developed a user-friendly graphical interface that allows HEIs, NGOs, and citizens to select and apply co-creation tools, facilitating the replacement of in-person activities. PR3: “Digital Co-Creation Tools Pilot Testing and Validation Report” – We conducted pilot testing of the CoCreAid Kit 4.0 in various projects involving NGOs and HEIs, producing a validation report to refine the digital methods. PR4: “CoCreAid Kit 4.0 User Guideline” – We created guidelines based on experiences with the CoCreAid Kit 4.0, customized for HEIs, NGOs, and citizens. The guidelines and CoCreAid Kit 4.0 have been disseminated through our networks and multiplier events.