The Big Design Challenge
Create an open environment where people and communities can design and access better services.
The Big Design Challenge
Cornwall's issues are well documented. It is the second most deprived county in the UK. Many interconnected issues such as worklessness, unaffordable homes and hidden poverty have in some cases gone unsolved for generations.
The vision for this project was to invite local citizens to tackle the issues that matter most to them, and to support them through the co-creation of solutions. We began this process by creating a platform for ideas sharing, collaboration and funding to help community groups turn ideas into reality.
Community engagement
The Big Design Challenge launched with a county wide search for challenges. We used a mix of communication activities to gather public opinion and shape the challenge.
Harnessing the power of the internet
Recognising how the internet is a hugely powerful tool for social change, we developed an online crowdsourcing platform. This allowed people from all over Cornwall to submit challenges and ideas to geographical locations or predefined themes such as health, homes or environment. Submitted challenges were left open to ideas from other people, many of whom contributed to a challenge they felt passionate about. The website enabled people to have a voice and show support for other ideas.
Inspiring people to think responsibly
Given that Cornwall is a rural county with a dispersed aging population, we recognised that not everyone has access to the internet, so we launched an awareness campaign where we visited major towns with unique street based installations. This campaign inspired people from all over Cornwall to think about social responsibility; whereby public resources and public services might be harnessed for the maximum common good.
Making good ideas happen
Six of the most supported challenges received support from design and business mentors to develop ideas into enterprises. The challenges covered topics such as sustainable towns, long term unemployment, community spaces, local food produce and unaffordable housing. We provided each challenge group with a "how to co-design" handbook, development funding and access to workshops to help them develop a business case and pitch for the further kick starter funds.
Next Generation Public Services
Building on the success of the Big Design Challenge, we are now developing the digital platform for Cornwall Council as part of the NESTA Creative Council's programme.
We are designing an open environment where people in Cornwall, and beyond, can design and access better services for themselves and their communities.
We are helping to create the mechanisms and processes on which Cornwall Council can become a ‘change ready' organisation - whereby citizens are not regarded as the objects of change but the drivers of it.
We envisage this could change the way public services are delivered in the future; whereby responsible citizenship and an agile Council will improve the quality and reach of public services, and inspire innovation and social enterprise.
