Short summary:
This presentation illustrates how human-centred design can transform project ideas into impactful movements that attract donor and community support. It argues that too many projects are designed remotely from the people they intend to help.
Full description:
Many fundraising proposals and EU projects aimed at strengthening democracy often fail to connect with their intended beneficiaries, remaining abstract and uninspiring for funders. Human-centred design addresses this by starting with people, understanding their needs, barriers, and dreams before designing solutions. It involves quickly testing ideas, listening deeply, and co-creating interventions with those who will benefit. The talk promises concrete tools and examples of how human-centred design has improved EU proposals, from interviews uncovering motivations to co-design sessions that transformed technical projects into community-driven missions, and stories that helped evaluators see true impact. More importantly, it highlights that human-centred design is not just a method but an act of democracy, as it builds trust, shares power, and makes democracy a lived experience when people feel heard and involved in creating solutions.
Main takeaway/Key learning point:
Presentation:
