INTRODUCTION (30 MIN)

Presentation of facilitators and purpose (10 min)
Who are the workshop leaders? Introduce yourselves. Also, explain the purpose of the day. Conclude with why the workshop is named Idea → Action. You’re simply going from coming up with an idea to actually executing it. 

Let the group know  that this is the introductory part, and it is time to get  warmed  up and get to know each other a little better before starting the workshop. Present the planning of the day. 

Introduction round (5 min) 
Start with an introductory round where, besides their names, each participant shares something they have pre-planned, for example:  something fun they’ve done that day. Alternatively, for a more playful approach, make it into a game,  for instance gestures that everybody has to mimic. 

Establishing common ground (10 min) 
To create a safe atmosphere in the group, it’s beneficial to establish a common ground for your time together. As a leader, either suggest approaches that participants can give feedback on or, ideally, involve them in creating them. For the latter, let this take about 10 minutes. Have participants discuss in pairs about “What is important to you when participating in a group?” and “How do you want us to behave towards each other?” Then, share these thoughts in the large group. Write them down on a sheet, add anything you find important, and ask if everyone is okay with the established ground rules and if anyone wants to remove or change something.

IDEA (30 min) Introduction to Idea → Action! 
Explain that now that participants have warmed up a bit, it’s time to experience Idea → Action. Beehive around the question “What would my dream [place] look like?” (5 min) Beehive is when you buzz two by two 😉 Adjust the topic based on the situation and context. Start by asking participants about their dreams for their neighborhood/city/community. A good start can be to discuss in pairs for a few minutes. 

Participatory round & a shower of ideas  (10 min) 
Start by letting each pair summarize what they discussed, and note down the ideas on a flipchart or whiteboard. Then, open up for a  “shower of ideas” (our name for brainstorming 🙂 Encourage them to use their imagination, and emphasize that all ideas are good ideas. When it feels like all ideas have been raised, read the notes aloud to summarize. During this, it might be fitting to start talking (informally) about what would need to change in order  to achieve community dreams. Ask participants what they think. 

Create groups 

Divide into smaller groups – preferably groups of 3-4 participants (depending on the number). 

Let groups choose their  key  issue (5 min) 
Start in groups by letting the participants take turns commenting on which issue/topic they want to work on during the day. Instruct groups to write down all topics on an A3 paper sheet. After that, each participant is given two sticker dots to place on the two topics (depending on the number in the group) that they would prefer to work on. The topic with the most dots will be the topic that the group works on. 

Group discussion: What do we want to change? (5 min)
It’s time to discuss what needs to change in order to achieve the dream scenario. If the group wants to make their school parking lot safer – what is needed? If the group wants a Youth center – how should  they proceed? Let the group discuss and write down their ideas for a few minutes. 

Formulate message (5 min) 
Having a concise message is beneficial when you later want to spread it to others. Give the groups 5 minutes to come up with a message (At this time it is not important that they come up with one single sentence, a few formulations to choose from is enough.).

METHOD (10 min)
Present the task at hand and what methods to express it with.

It is now  time to get out there and spread the message!. But first, they have to choose HOW they are going to do this.. Let them choose from an array of different materials such as banners, tape, sidewalk chalk, or fence weaving etc. Introduce them to the materials and ensure they understand how each one can be used. Have the groups collectively decide which method they want to use (a few of the methods can be combined).

ACTION! (40 min) 
Action (30 min) Encourage the participants: “It’s time! You are going out to spread your message! You only have 30 minutes to prepare your manifesto- paint banners or get fabric strips ready for fence weaving,  and then to get out spreading your idea. We, the workshop facilitators, will take photos and film to document your  campaign.” 

Remember to interview the participants or have them interviewing each other during the manifestation. 

When everybody feels that they have made their opinion heard it is time to gather the group and reflect on how it went. 

Participatory round: Feedback (10 min) 
Back indoors, everyone sits back in the circle. Now  each person tells which group they were in, what their message was, what method they used, how it felt, and if they got any reactions from the public.

SPREAD! (10 min) 

Participatory round: Who should know? (3 min) 
Again, take turns again answering the following questions: “Now that you’ve been out spreading your messages, you’ve already been part of a change towards what you wanted to spread. Who do you think should hear your message to create an even bigger change?” Note down their responses. 

And again, this time answering a more open question:

 “Do you want to pass on the message?” (2 min) 
Explain what  options there are  for taking the issues further, such as: citizen initiatives, reporting issues, contacting authorities and meeting with them, etc. Would they like to take any of the messages further? Decide upon a plan (5 min) Also make sure that the group understands that taking it further means meeting up again to continue the work they have started. At the next meeting, the group will then  write a citizen initiative, report issues, email politicians, or what they decide on.

OUTRO (5 min) 
As a closing note: ask if anyone has any questions. Let them again take turns making a concluding note, for example: “Describe, with one word they feel after today’s workshop. Finally, thank everyone for the day.