Co-Design Process

Community engagement approach for NextCycle Washington

Co-Design

A DEFINITION:
An approach to designing with people, not for people, by sharing power, prioritizing relationships, and using participatory means.

- Beyond Sticky Notes

The Co-Design Process

At the start of the NextCycle Washington program, a collaborative approach was used to inform the development process for Washington State. Participants in the co-design process came from various backgrounds like private companies, public entities, and community-centered organizations. 

Conveners of this collaborative design approach leveraged IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation and a co-design book titled "Beyond Sticky Notes," which helped guide our community engagement approach.

The 6 step process below is an iterative process and repeats.

  • 01 | Build the Conditions

    In this first phase of the co-design process we asked questions like: who should be in the room? Do we have the time and budget for this?

  • 02 | Immerse and Align

    In this second phase, we aligned around problem areas to explore and align on together.

  • 03 | Discover

    The third phase focused on understanding solutions and different perspectives regarding the NextCycle model, other technical support ideas, and granting models.

  • 04 | Strategy and Design

    In the fourth phase, we used visioning exercises and already elevated intervention ideas to come up with six (6) priority strategy areas to improve the NextCycle model for Washington State.

  • 05 | Test and Refine

    This fifth phase focused on putting ideas in front of various stakeholders to see which ideas aligned with the most people.

  • 06 | Implement and Learn

    This is our current and final phase of the co-design process where we are implementing innovations to the NextCycle model for Washington State and we are currently in the learning phase of the effects of those innovations.

Expanding the Model

Integrating “Community* as a third sector” to NextCycle’s Public / Private model was a key innovation of the NextCycle model for Washington State.

*We define community as individuals who have been historically excluded including: low-income, marginalized communities, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, and entities or organizations that serve these populations.

NextCycle Washington’s Co-designed Priority Areas

  • Lower Barriers

    We lower barriers to entry to improve applicants’ outcomes

  • Accessible Communications

    We use accessible communication formats to reach overlooked audiences.

  • Share Power

    We share power with community to increase transparency and accountability.

  • Partner Network

    We support a robust partner network of those doing the work.

  • Resource Access

    We improve resource access for overburdened communities.

  • Community Networks

    We strengthen local community networks.

Learn more about the co-design process we used.

Watch to learn more about how NextCycle Washington integrated diverse perspectives into co-designing innovations uniquely situated for Washington’s needs.

Co-Designers

Ali Lee
Eco Infinity nation, Climate Reality Project

April Sheeley
Ellensburg Glass Recycling

Asia Tail
Seattle Foundation, Yehaw

Chris Iberle
Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment

Derek Ruckman
WasteXperts, Washington Recycling Development Center Advisory Committee

Kami Bruner
Zero Waste Washington

Kara Steward
Washington Department of Ecology

Michael Carter
King County Green Jobs

Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman
Refugee Artisan Initiative

Moji Igun
Blue Daisi Consulting

Nico Onoda-McGuire
Seattle Good Business Network

Njuguna Gishuru
African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, People's Economy Lab

Robert Duff
WA Deptartment of Commerce

Shiho Fuyuki
People's Economy Lab, NEW Economy Washington

Susan Long
REI Co-op, Starbucks

TraeAnna Holiday
Black Dot, Africatown Community Land Trust

Governance Members

After a multi-month co-design process, learnings, priorities and recommendations were handed to a governance group overseeing the NextCycle Program.