Co-designing methods for exploring gender norms, communication and security concerns in crisis situations

Purpose and goal

The aim was to co-design a method for exploring everyday security concerns and responses in crisis situations, and for promoting dialogue between municipalities, civil society organisations and citizens. The method is designed as to foster a better understanding of citizens’ level of crisis preparedness, as well as their subjective estimation of their preparedness in terms of information access. In so doing, it aims to increase awareness about individual capabilities, vulnerabilities and responsibilities.

Expected results and effects

The project resulted in the “Security Awareness Toolkit: Mapping citizens’ information needs and access in case of a power outage”, designed to be used by municipalities or civil society organisations working with crisis prevention. By using the method, citizens get a personal, hands-on experience of what it might mean to be in a potential crisis situation, and an increased understanding of their level of crisis preparedness and where further dialogue between citizens and public authorities are needed.

Planned approach and implementation

The method was developed through a dynamic co-design process, including a pre-study (a research review of gender and crisis, and stakeholder interviews), and a prototyping phase (co-design workshops, and tests) run together with citizens, municipalities, and a civil society organisation. The process also included a reflection phase resulting in a report and a toolkit, which describes the method and supports potential users of it, primarily municipalities and civil society organisation.