Participatory Methods

Idea boxes

Idea boxes is a participatory activity designed to encourage the exchange of ideas and perspectives among participants. Each person writes their ideas, questions, or suggestions on cards, which are then placed in a “box.” These cards are drawn and discussed as a group, fostering collaborative and enriching analysis. This activity is ideal for sessions where creativity, knowledge sharing, and joint decision-making are key.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose: Be clear about the activity’s objective and communicate it to participants at the start.
    • Example: Generate ideas to improve a project, discuss concerns, or brainstorm creative solutions.
  2. Gather materials: Ensure you have small cards or pieces of paper, pens/markers, and a box or container.
  3. Organize the space: If in-person, set up an area where participants can write comfortably. If virtual, prepare a collaborative tool such as Miro or Google Jamboard.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction (5 minutes):
    • Explain the activity and its purpose.
    • Provide examples of ideas or questions to inspire participants if needed.
    • Emphasize that there are no “wrong” contributions and that every input is valuable.
  2. Writing ideas (10-15 minutes):
    • Each participant writes their ideas, questions, or suggestions related to the topic on one or more cards.
    • Ensure the environment is relaxed and unhurried.
  3. Collecting cards (5 minutes):
    • Participants place their cards in the box or submit them digitally for virtual activities.
    • Ensure anonymity if it encourages honest contributions.
  4. Drawing and reading (15-20 minutes):
    • Draw a card at random and read it aloud.
    • Facilitate a group discussion about the idea or question on the card. You might ask:
      • What do you think about this idea?
      • How can we develop it further?
      • What challenges or benefits do you see in this proposal?
  5. Sorting ideas (optional, 10 minutes):
    • If there are many cards, categorize them (e.g., problems, solutions, resources).
    • Use a whiteboard or flip chart to visually organize the discussed ideas.
  6. Conclusion (5 minutes):
    • Summarize the key points discussed.
    • Define next steps based on the ideas generated.

Closing the activity

Thank participants for their contributions and highlight how their ideas will contribute to the overall objective. If possible, share a plan of action or a follow-up date to continue developing the proposed ideas.

Recommendations
  • Clearly define the purpose: Before starting, explain the objective of the activity to the participants.
  • Encourage creativity: Invite participants to write ideas without fear of judgment.
  • Organize the ideas: Once the cards are collected, categorize the ideas into themes or topics to facilitate discussion.
  • Moderate the discussion: Ensure all participants have the opportunity to share their opinions on the selected ideas.
  • Close with concrete actions: Summarize the main ideas discussed and decide how they will be implemented.
Materials
  • Small cards or pieces of paper.
  • Pens or markers.
  • A box, container, or receptacle to collect the ideas.
  • (Optional) Whiteboard or flip chart to organize and categorize the discussed ideas.
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of the Idea boxes activity is to create a participatory space where all voices can be heard, fostering the exchange of perspectives and collective creativity. This activity allows for the generation of original ideas, the analysis of key questions, and the discovery of solutions in a collaborative environment. Additionally, it facilitates joint decision-making by incorporating everyone’s contributions, promoting shared knowledge creation and strengthening teamwork.
Type of activity
Participatory Interaction
Level of participation
Inquiry, Collaboration, Knowledge generation, Exchange of perspectives
Target audience
Educators, Facilitators, Students, Community leaders, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams, Government, Researchers
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Art, culture, and creativity, Innovation and design, Research and evaluation, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
30 to 60 minutes
Ideal number of participants
From 5 to 30 participants
Topics related to this activity
Active CollaborationCreative Problem SolvingIdea GenerationKnowledge GenerationPerspective Exchange
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