Why co-creation is more than just participation

Participation means:

People contribute their perspectives, experiences and ideas to a process and, depending on their level of participation, may also have decision-making power, right up to self-organisation.

Co-creation goes one step further:

Here, various stakeholders work together to shape the entire process – from identifying the issue, through developing solutions, to testing and implementation.

The difference lies not in whether people are involved, but in how.

When it comes to co-creation ...

Challenges are defined jointly.

New knowledge arises from different perspectives.

Responsibility is shared.

Solutions are developed and tested jointly.

It is the organisation’s creativity and ‘eagerness to find solutions’ (cf. Marinić) that are called upon – as a result, those involved automatically assume an empowered role, having understood, helped shape and implemented the development of a new solution.

Particularly when it comes to complex issues facing the future – from sustainable urban development to the mobility transition – we need more than just individual experts. We need collaboration between universities, the wider community, the local authorities and the professional sector.

This is precisely why HM creates spaces for dialogue, shared learning and co-creative collaboration.

After all, the best solutions often emerge where different areas of expertise come together.