View source for Output 1.1: 5 Regional Co-Laboratories of Democracy held with a total of 100 participants

The Future Worlds Center conducted a total of 5 Co-Laboratories throughout the project, each lasting 5 full working days, and taking place in different continents. The major product of each Co-Laboratory was a detailed virtual report with all ideas, clarifications, processes, and final results documented in great detail.

The table below documents the general information about the planned co-Laboratories:
[[File:UNDEFtable.png]]

'''Criteria/Methodology for selection of key participants:'''

We considered special criteria for the selection of the key participants. For each Co-Laboratory there were about 20 (gender balanced) participants, with approximately 15 participants traveling from other countries and 5 coming from the hosting country. Thus at least 75 participants needed air transportation. Our key concern was to keep gender equality among the participants and to secure that those selected had extensive relevant previous experience, enjoyed recognition among their peers in their respective countries and possessed an extensive and powerful network, which they were able to utilize in order to ensure maximum impact of their work and dissemination of the results and deliverables of the project. Participants were recruited through online application systems, utilizing our global alliances and through social media.

'''The selection criteria are detailed below with their respective weights:'''

Gender (20%), Age: young people 18 – 30 years old (15%), Anti-discrimination criteria (10%), Years of relevant experience or/and prior relevant activities (10%), Potential for organizing follow-up activities (10%), Belonging to associations with wide networks (5%), Communication skills (5%), Reliability / Commitment (5%), Country of origin / nationality (5%), Availability of sponsors (10%), Uninterrupted access to social networking (5%).

Before attending the co-Laboratory, each participant should have secured at least 10 others (from the same country or region to serve as her/his “fellow shadow participants” (see Outcome 1.2). The virtual participants contributed with their ideas using the ™ App or through the website’s instructions. They participated, in equal terms, in all deliberations. Their contributions also served as validation for the ideas produced in the face-to-face meetings. In addition, however, the virtual participants also were in charge to reflect on the proceedings and also “broadcast” the progress of the project using their respective channels, i.e., via email, Twitter™, Facebook™, Blogs, YouTube™ movies, etc.

'''Co-Lab Program:'''

*Day 1: The day started with a general introduction of the project and an interactive session to help participants get to know each other. Presentation and sharing of root causes identified in previous European SDDP Co-Laboratories; Consolidation of problems participants can identify with regards to current systems of governance, resulting in a shared understanding among the participants as to which are the major problems and gaps that need to be addressed.
*Days 2: Proposing characteristics and designing ideal future systems of governance that exploit the potentials of ICT. This was done through the development of scenarios, possible solutions, and identification of the most appropriate actions to counteract corresponding obstacles that were identified and consolidated on Day 1. The result is the Action Map.
*Day 3: Continuation of the Design phase.
*Day 4: Discussion and possible amendments to the Action Map; Selection of best ideas for inclusion in the Book and for the production of video clips to be uploaded on YouTube™. Division of participants into Action Groups; Distribution of responsibilities and assignment of tasks and activities to each participant. Agreement on how the successful completion of agreed actions will be evaluated. Agreement on how the participants will continue after the face-to-face meeting.
*Day 5. Continuation of the work in the Action Groups, Create action plans (Output 3.5) so participants could roll out and advocate the results of workshops. Train participants on how to strengthen and maintain their networks to create a repeater effect on ideas sharing and media creation.

'''Concrete results / Monitoring:'''

Several positive results were expected and realised from the co-Laboratories. Firstly, increases in knowledge on why youth do not participate in political life, how they envision an ideal system of democracy and governance, and what are major practical actions towards addressing the current problematic situation. This was measured by doing pre- and post-survey of the participants. The evaluations were also assessed shift and/or changes in beliefs and attitudes, changes in motivation and clarity of where they want to go. Secondly, a report was published by FWC after each co-Laboratory. Summaries from these reports were shared on social media. The effectiveness and impact of those reports were measured by collecting viewership such as number of “likes”, “comments” and “shares” on social media channels as well as through evaluating feedback received from corresponding sources. Participants must demonstrate their true commitment by submitting their ideas at least 2 weeks before, in writing. All contributions were well-documented and video clips recorded and whenever possible uploaded to YouTube™ for immediate use by the virtual participants.

'''Follow-up Actions:'''

After each co-Laboratory participants were motivated to publicize details about the event and also the content and all ideas produced either through traditional media such as newspapers, TV stations and radios and/or through social media such as Facebook™, Twitter™ etc. Moreover, using our IdeaPrism™ App or/and the website they were able to continue developing their ideas, invite more people to join, produce new ideas, and also discuss and further develop existing ideas.

Also, participants contributed to an e-book (Output 3.1) and collectively worked with the FWC Team on gathering and editing the workshop materials. After each Co-Laboratory, a small group of participants committed to setting up regional and/or national social media campaign(s) (Output 2.1) in order to promote the results of their Co-Laboratory. Every social media campaign also had a link and promoted the global project social media page. A single-volume report with all the individual reports and a short summary, which includes all data, has been prepared by FWC. <br>
==Reinventing Democracy in the Digital era co-Laboratories==
[[Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era - European co-Laboratory]]

[[Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era - African Co-Laboratory]]