In this study, we examine how co-creation processes/activities for local development have been impacted by COVID-19 through a combination of seven semi-structured interviews with members of the project teams and key stakeholders of the seven participating municipalities, 23 persons in total, and an e-survey to stakeholders in the regions with 25 participants. The aim was to find out the experience of co-creation and open social innovation during the pandemic, but also to look forward and identify potential good practices as we (...)

In this study, we examine how co-creation processes/activities for local development have been impacted by COVID-19 through a combination of seven semi-structured interviews with members of the project teams and key stakeholders of the seven participating municipalities, 23 persons in total, and an e-survey to stakeholders in the regions with 25 participants. The aim was to find out the experience of co-creation and open social innovation during the pandemic, but also to look forward and identify potential good practices as well as challenges to be faced when the work continues. Therefore, this report is focusing on lessons learned and recommendations just as much as on the experience.

This study is conducted under the framework of the URBACT action planning network IoTXchange. Within the frame of the project the network of European partners designed digitalization action plans based on Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to increase the quality of life in small and medium sized EU cities. The plans were developed through various co-creative practices engaging local stakeholders, as well as small-scale pilots aimed at demonstrating the technologies. Beside this, a number of other projects and initiatives were launched by the partners during and after the project period, based on the IoTXchange development process but not formally within the project.