Participatory Methods

Representación abstracta de la metodología participativa Cumpliendo deseos. Se ve una lampara magica de Aladin, representando el concepto de deseos haciendose realidad a quien los pide.

Make a Wish

Make a Wish is a participatory activity in which the community identifies meaningful wishes or needs with social impact and organizes to make one of them come true. Through a collective vote, a priority wish is selected (such as repairing a family’s roof, painting a school, or creating a green space), and then resources, local allies, and volunteer hands are mobilized to carry it out. This activity fosters community engagement, solidarity, and collaborative action, allowing participants to experience the transformative power of working together.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Identify and highlight local needs or dreams from individuals or institutions.
    • Encourage active participation of the community around a shared cause.
    • Promote concrete actions based on solidarity, cooperation, and collective empowerment.
  2. Prepare the materials:
    • Cards, papers, or forms for people to write down their wishes.
    • A collection box or designated space to receive the wishes.
    • Posters or panels to display the proposals and support voting.
    • Sheets, markers, or digital devices for voting.
  3. Set up the space:
    • Create a welcoming area to collect wishes and share stories.
    • Design a space to showcase finalist wishes and hold the vote.
    • Have planning materials available to organize the chosen wish’s implementation.
  4. To run the activity virtually:
    • Use collaborative platforms to share wishes, vote online, and coordinate the planning of the selected wish.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduce the activity
    • Explain that the goal is to identify a wish or need the community can make come true together.
    • Encourage people to dream big, but also think in concrete actions that can make a positive impact.
  2. Collect the wishes
    • Each person proposes a wish related to a real need in their environment.
    • Wishes can be personal, institutional, or community-based.
    • Wishes can be collected on paper or digitally.
  3. Select and vote
    • The wishes are grouped and summarized.
    • The most viable and meaningful ones are selected.
    • The community votes on the wish they commit to fulfilling together.
  4. Organize collectively
    • Create an action plan to bring the selected wish to life.
    • Assign tasks, gather resources, and define key steps.
  5. Find allies and resources
    • Reach out to companies, local businesses, NGOs, or individuals to collaborate with materials, tools, or technical support.
    • Communicate the values and benefits of collective action to attract allies.
  6. Make the wish come true
    • Carry out the activity or project with active participation from the entire community.
    • Document the process and celebrate the collective achievement.
Recommendations
  • Select wishes that are meaningful and feasible for the group.
  • Clearly communicate the commitment involved in fulfilling the chosen wish.
  • Follow up on tasks and responsible individuals.
  • Seek local allies in advance.
  • Create outreach materials to attract more collaboration.
  • Document the entire process with photos, videos, and testimonials.
  • Publicly celebrate the achievement of making the wish come true.
Inspiration

Ideas for wishes the community can fulfill:

  • Paint a classroom or schoolyard
  • Repair the roof of a family in need
  • Start a community garden
  • Build an access ramp in a public space
  • Donate backpacks and school supplies to students
  • Organize a book fair with donated books
  • Restore playground equipment in a park
  • Create a community mural with local artists
  • Host a health day with volunteer professionals
  • Set up a reading corner in a hospital
  • Light up a dark street or alley in the neighborhood
  • Offer free classes on useful skills for the community
  • Renovate the kitchen of a community dining hall
  • Organize a free cultural show or event
  • Donate bikes to children without resources
  • Run a donation drive to provide new bedding for a shelter
  • Repair musical instruments in a school
  • Digitize documents for a neighborhood library
  • Create a community radio station
  • Organize a trip for elderly people in the neighborhood

Where to look for help or support:

  • Local hardware stores, paint shops, and construction suppliers
  • Schools and community centers
  • NGOs and neighborhood organizations
  • Local businesses interested in corporate social responsibility
  • Neighbors with trades or specific skills
  • Crowdfunding platforms
  • Municipal volunteer or civic engagement programs
Materials
  • Cards, papers, or forms to propose wishes
  • Ballot box or visible space to collect proposals
  • Whiteboards, panels, or large sheets to display the wishes
  • Voting materials (small papers, post-its, markers, or digital tools)
  • Planning sheets, flipcharts, or spreadsheets to organize actions
  • Various materials depending on the selected wish
Online platforms
Purpose

The purpose of Make a Wish is to mobilize the community to identify, select, and carry out a meaningful wish that has a positive impact on their surroundings. Through this activity, empathy, cooperation, shared responsibility, and the ability to turn real needs into concrete actions are fostered. It is a transformative experience that strengthens social bonds and demonstrates the power of collective action.

Type of activity
Participatory InteractionParticipatory LearningParticipatory Planning
Level of participation
Collaboration, Empowerment, Shared decision-making, Collective implementation, Exchange of perspectives, Direct action
Target audience
Educators, Facilitators, Students, Community leaders, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams
Fields of application
Community development, Urban and rural planning, Health and social well-being, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Conflict resolution, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
Variable depending on the selected wish (minimum one session of 2 to 4 hours to start the process, up to several weeks for implementation)
Ideal number of participants
From 10 to 50 people for the planning phase, expandable during community implementation.
Topics related to this activity
Active CollaborationActive LearningBuilding Possible FuturesCitizen ParticipationCollaborative LearningCollective ConstructionCollective LearningCommunity and SustainabilityCommunity PerspectiveCreative Problem SolvingExperiential LearningGroup StrengtheningInclusive ParticipationKnowledge GenerationParticipatory BudgetsParticipatory DialogueParticipatory InteractionPartnership ManagementPerspective ExchangeProblem SolvingStrategic PlanningTeamwork
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