Visionary Festival: Shaping the future
Interactive and creative event that brings together young people to envision the future and collaborate on innovative ideas.
Level of participation
Conference
Duration of participation process
Preparation: 1 month for invitations, venues, catering
Implementation: 1-3 months
Follow-up: A couple of days for analysis and documentation
Target group size
25-50 people
50-100 people
Costs
$$$
Human resources needed
Team of 5 persons
In addition, a lot of young helping hands
The method: what is it, when to use it and what outcome to expect
In creative workshop formats that can also include theatre and music, the participants design a positive version of their future and develop first ideas on how they can get closer to this version through their own actions. Use this method when you want to empower youth to play an active role in shaping their future and generating innovative solutions. Visionary Festivals are particularly effective for sparking creativity, fostering teamwork, and encouraging youth to take ownership of their ideas and projects.
The outcome of a Visionary Festival is a shared vision, creative projects, and actionable ideas generated by young participants. It empowers youth to develop problem-solving skills, build confidence, and collaborate effectively. Depending on the context, political decision-makers can also participate in the festival and develop ideas for implementing the vision together with the youths.
The process: how to conduct it in an in-person setting or online using a PC/laptop with video option
1. Preparation: Plan the festival, including venue selection, workshop facilitators, materials, and logistics. Depending on the budget, engage an expert on forecasting or a futurist.
2. Promotion: Advertise the event through schools, community centres, and local and social media.
3. Venue Setup: Prepare the venue with designated areas for workshops, brainstorming, and creative activities.
4. Workshops and Activities: Facilitate interactive workshops and creative sessions throughout the day.
5. Collaboration: Encourage participants to collaborate in person, share ideas, and engage in group discussions.
6. Documentation: Assign a team to document the event through photography, video, and note-taking.
7. Follow-Up: Create a plan for continuing engagement and implementing ideas generated during the festival. Present the developed vision and ideas to local decision makers.
Blended participation
Combine online and in-person elements by allowing participants to choose between attending in person or joining online. Offer virtual options for selected workshops and activities to include a broader audience.
Digital communication
Communication platform for the event: Teams, Zoom, Webex
Mural or Miro Boards are useful tools to document the process, idea collection and results.
Good to know
- Ensure diversity among participants and topics to bring a wide range of perspectives.
- Create a safe and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued.
- Train facilitators to guide discussions and workshops effectively.
- Develop a concrete action plan to follow up on the ideas and projects generated during the festival.
- Collect feedback from participants to improve future festivals.
- Consider the environmental impact of the festival and implement eco-friendly practices.
- Celebrate the creativity and contributions of young participants through awards or recognition.