Guide to Co-creation with and for Youth
A Guide to Youth Co-Creation
Hopelab knows from our 20+ years of creating supportive tools for young people that engaging youth in the creation of products and services leads to better outcomes.
This guide offers resources, tips, and tools to learn more about co-creation with and for youth.
Centering the Needs of Youth
Engaging Youth For More Effective Solutions
More often than not, we see solutions created for communities, individuals, or groups rather than with them — often leaving developers (and investors) disappointed in engagement and other outcomes. At Hopelab we believe, and know, that strategically partnering with youth is a critical aspect of creating impactful products, services, and experiences that center on the specific needs and preferences of young people. Youth possess unique perspectives and insights that can inform and enhance the design process. By determining when and how to most effectively engage youth at key moments in the design process, designers can gain valuable insights into their needs, preferences, and behaviors, ultimately leading to more effective and scalable solutions.
Designing with youth promotes equity, social inclusion, youth development, and a sense of ownership and pride in the final product, service, or experience. Applying the principle of, “nothing about us without us” to the design process helps ensure that solutions are more relevant, accessible, and meaningful to youth.
Resources to Learn
UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
Headstream Innovation
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
The Forge — Organizing Strategy and Practice
Tools We Use
Hear from Youth
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