Powering Innovation
The Journey of Community Organisations through the Community Explore Programme
Over the past six months, we’ve had the absolute pleasure to support 20 community organisations through our Community Explore programme to delve into Community Tech using a user-centred, test-driven design approach. This programme was part of the support offer for Power to Change’s Discovery Fund grantees.
Throughout this time, the participating organisations have navigated a continuous learning curve. Assumptions have been challenged, and perspectives on the problem and potential solutions have evolved in response to research findings. Participants have also made new connections and have widened their networks.
Everyone is so welcoming, compassionate, and understanding. My friend and former colleague Liz did a Digital Fellowship with CAST a few years ago. I felt envy but couldn’t put my finger on it. Now I know why. This is a space where there is generosity of sharing and learning. Plus community tech just gives me the warm fuzzies — Penelope, Director of Women Rise Up
The first three months of the programme were dedicated to understanding the problems the organisations aimed to solve. In this Discover Phase, participants mapped their knowledge and assumptions about the problem they wanted to solve; they did in-depth user interviews, providing valuable insights into the end users’ digital behaviours and the real-world impact of the perceived problems.
As a result, the percentage of participants feeling confident or very confident in their organisation’s understanding of the needs and behaviours of beneficiaries rose from 35% at the start of the programme, to 82% at the end.
The subsequent three months shifted focus towards solution development in the Define Phase. By actively involving their communities, the organisations embarked on a co-creative journey to ideate and test potential solutions. This phase was about validating the value of these solutions through community involvement and feedback. We are currently evaluating this phase. If you want to know more about the tools and processes used in the Define Phase, like idea generation and prototyping, take a look at our Digital Toolkit.
As the programme concludes, each organisation has identified clear next steps. For some, this involves revisiting the drawing board or conducting additional research. Others are poised to begin in-house solution development or seek funding to bring their solutions to life.
The Community Explore programme has fostered the development of digital solutions but has also built a community of learners and innovators. Whatever the next steps, the Community Explore programme has helped participants to become more confident in applying the digital skills and knowledge which will help them in any future digital and innovation project.
“The team at CAST have been really supportive throughout this really energising and insightful project. It is so unusual for a charity like ours to have the space to think about technology and move out of our comfort zone. We have learned so much from taking time out to talk to our users, involving them in the development of a project for their benefit and understanding their needs. It’s also been great for us to go through the process of articulating the problems and challenges faced, exploring solutions and having the opportunity to test and learn, unafraid to change course where necessary. We would recommend the programme to any charity looking to develop some new tech, particularly anyone wanting to feel greater ‘ownership’ of what they are developing.
We now have a clear route forward and are excited about seeing what technologies we can ‘bring to life’ for the benefit of our users. And we couldn’t have done that without this programme and the team at CAST with their invaluable resources, support, suggestions and insight. Thank you.” David Gallant, Nepacs
Find out more:
You can find the Playback presentations from the participating organisations on our dedicated site. These presentations serve as “show and tells,” showcasing participants’ work and the findings from the user research they have conducted.
Why have a look at the playbacks?
Well, there might be research findings that speak to your own audience or problem you are trying to solve. Or their next steps may in some way touch on what you are working. In short there might be something of use to you.
Visit the dedicated site to access these valuable insights and assets.
Are you a funder?
And do you want to maximise the impact of your funding? Work with us to give your grantees digital and design thinking funder+ support to solve the problems they are looking to address?
Get in touch workwith@wearecast.org.uk
