OUTDOOR ACTIVITY FUND CASE STUDY
CO-DESIGN The term co-design is often synonymous with tangible product design, where companies engage with their users to co-create new products or engender improvements and developments. More and more we are seeing community groups, businesses, and local councils incorporating the codesign model into their operations. Sport and recreation groups have latched onto this method of planning and development because it: Forges constructive relationships Generates original and unique ideas Validates the ideas of customers and partners Creates a sense of ownership Several recipients of the Recreation Aotearoa Outdoor Activity Fund (OAF) 2019/2020 applied codesign to their projects and have made it a key part of their overall kaupapa. In this case study we will look at the mechanics of co design with reference to three of the OAF projects.
THE OAF PROJECTS USING CO-DESIGN Shift Foundation Shift Foundation are a Wellington based community group dedicated to empowering young women and giving them the opportunity to focus on wellbeing through social and physical activities. Shift’s project is a five-day wellbeing camp led by young women from the Wellington region. The camp’s aim is to encourage youth leadership through the outdoors, active recreation, and create opportunities for young women with limited access.
Why they co-design… One of Shift’s core values is co-design and partnership. Shift strongly believe that collaborating with partners and young women enables them to develop a better understanding of their needs in an everchanging environment. In turn they feel they are working towards the greatest and most honest impact for the community they exist to serve.
Photo courtesy of Aotearoa Water Patrol
Aotearoa Water Patrol Aotearoa Water Patrol (AWP) are a Māori collective working with the community to promote open water safety through mātauranga Māori. AWP delivered a water safety wānanga for Māori youth in the Waikato, with particular focus on implementing and refining mātauranga Māori in their pedagogy and teaching. Why they co-design… Aotearoa Water Patrol elected to use co-design as means to ensure they were on the same page as their key stakeholders and partners. It was important for all parties involved that their aims and desires aligned.