Technology Strategy Board / Dott Cornwall
How can we help people address some of the biggest challenges facing their communities?
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.
The Big Design Challenge
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.
