Community co-creation
Have you ever launched a project intended to connect with a community, only for it to fall flat? This often happens when work is designed at a distance. We invest time and resources into creating work we believe is relevant, yet it fails to resonate deeply. The missing ingredient is often genuine co-creation, which places the community at the heart of the process from the start, not as an audience but a partner.
This guide provides a practical framework for leading authentic community co-creation. For professionals in the cultural and placemaking sector mastering this is essential for building resilience, relevance and real connection. We’ll walk you through the core principles, from initial strategy to successful execution, enabling you to foster shared ownership and create work that truly matters.
What is community co-creation (and why does it matter?)
At its core, community co-creation is a shift in power. It’s the difference between saying, “We’ve made this for you,” and asking, “What can we make together?” It involves inviting community members not just as an audience or a focus group, but as active partners in the conception, design and delivery of a cultural project.
For many organisations, this requires a fundamental shift in thinking and leadership, a form of organisational transformation that prioritises patient listening and shared authority. If you’re able to make this shift the benefits are profound:
Deeper insight and connection: Co-creation uncovers authentic stories and needs that traditional research can miss, forging a powerful connection between your organisation and your community.
Enhanced relevance and branding: When communities see themselves reflected in your work, your branding evolves from an institutional voice to a shared identity.
Sustainable engagement: Co-created projects build lasting relationships and advocates, creating a foundation for future fundraising and support.
Impactful placemaking: For those involved in placemaking, co-creation ensures that spaces and initiatives are not just aesthetically pleasing, but deeply rooted in the identity and desires of the people who use them.
A practical framework for co-creation
Embarking on a co-creation journey requires more than good intentions, it demands a clear strategy. Here are the key steps to guide your process.
Step 1: Laying the groundwork with strategy and insight
Before you send the first email or host a workshop, you must define your parameters. This initial phase is critical for long-term success.
Define your ‘why’ and scope: What is the core purpose of this project? Be clear about your goals. Is it to develop a new exhibition, design a public space, or inform your future programming? Equally important is defining the non-negotiables. What are the budget, timeline, and logistical constraints? Clear boundaries help to provide guidelines for your co-creation creativity.
Authentic stakeholder engagement: It’s important to move beyond your usual list of contacts and identify who the community really is for this project. This includes residents, local artists, community leaders and even your internal teams. Map these groups and think critically about who holds the knowledge, who will be most impacted and whose voices are often unheard.
Allocate resources honestly: Co-creation is not a shortcut. It requires significant time, staff capacity and often a dedicated budget to compensate community members for their expertise and time. Factoring this into your project planning from day one is essential for ethical engagement.
Step 2: Building trust through clear communication
Trust is the currency of co-creation and must be earned through transparent and consistent communication.
Establish clear channels: First, take time to understand your audience and how they prefer to communicate and receive updates, this will shape the channels you use. It might be a newsletter, a WhatsApp group or regular in-person meetings. Whatever you choose, make sure everyone knows how to share ideas and stay informed.
Set shared expectations: Co-develop a simple terms of engagement document that sets out roles, responsibilities and how decisions will be made. Make it clear how feedback is handled and who has the final say. This keeps the process open and avoids confusion later.
Prioritise listening over talking: In early workshops, your role is to facilitate rather than dictate. Use active listening to draw out ideas. This initial phase is about gathering insight rather than validating your own assumptions.
Step 3: Action, evaluation and legacy
This is where ideas turn into reality. Effective facilitation and a commitment to your shared goals are key. Avoid the common pitfall of tokenism by inviting input but ignoring it. True co-creation means the community’s contribution visibly shapes the final outcome. This process of managed collaboration is a core tenet of effective change management.
Once the project is complete, the work isn’t over. Conduct a thorough evaluation with your community partners. What worked? What didn’t? Celebrate the successes together and document the learnings. This not only honours the contribution of your partners but also builds a powerful case study for your next ambitious project.
Your next step in community co-creation
Embracing community co-creation is a journey that can transform a place or organisation from the inside out. It requires new skills in leadership, communication and strategy, but the reward is cultural work that is more vibrant, relevant and deeply connected to the people it serves.
