UN Population Fund

Weaving Futures

Conducting fieldwork is essential for truly understanding the context, dynamics, and needs of local communities. It allows for a deeper connection with the people, providing invaluable insights into their social networks, values, and challenges. By engaging directly with communities and stakeholders, I am able to develop more effective and relevant projects that resonate with their lived experiences. This hands-on approach not only ensures that the solutions are culturally and contextually appropriate but also fosters trust and collaboration, creating a foundation for sustainable and impactful outcomes. My experience in fieldwork has equipped me with the skills to navigate complex social landscapes and tailor projects that incoporate communities’ needs and drive meaningful change.

Designing tools and methodologies for paticipation

Designing tools that enable citizens to participate effectively in workshops is crucial for fostering meaningful dialogue and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. These tools must be crafted with deep consideration of the participants’ context, language, social meanings, and environmental values to ensure relevance and accessibility.

By creating tools that resonate with the community’s unique cultural and social framework, I aimed to empower individuals to share their thoughts openly and confidently. This approach not only facilitated productive conversations but also allowed citizens to have a tangible impact on the decisions that affect their lives and territories, making the process more inclusive and transformative.

  • The design approach was participatory design driven approach, focused on fostering collaboration between citizens, especially historically underrepresented groups, and government entities. I developed strategies that encouraged inclusive governance and citizen involvement in territorial planning. The approach used open government frameworks and foresight methodologies to ensure diverse engagement and empower communities in shaping local policies.

  • My role involved designing the end-to-end experience for citizen participation, from creating tools and workshops to gathering and analyzing data. I was responsible for citizen engagement, working closely with community leaders to co-design the methodology and ensure that communities were connected to the policy process, enabling them to contribute their projects and ideas.

  • The outcome of the project was a platform showcasing the entire experience, including video recordings that documented the journey and highlighting the process within each community. Additionally, a report was published for the UN, focusing on decolonizing policymaking and designing participatory processes that empower local communities and integrate their voices into decision-making.