Project structure
Involve is a collaborative project: researchers from universities and NGOs work together with participants. More information about the co-creative process can be found on the How page. Here we outline the structure of Involve.
The structure shows how people work together and how the various tasks and work packages are linked.
The first diagram shows the main structure. Qualitative and quantitative research work are central.
The general outline shows that research work is central. This research work is framed and informed by a theoretical framework (foundational lab). This is where the main question, how social and public services can strengthen democratic attitudes, is explored. To answer this question, we use a research model based on a vision of people as recipients, doers, and judges.
You are always a recipient: from birth to death, you receive. You are a doer: you want to actively shape your life. And you are a judge: you judge and have a say in how you want to shape your life (and society).
This is the RDJ framework in a nutshell. More information can be found on the publications/deliverables page.
The next and central step is the analysis work package. The framework is applied to analyze social policy and determine the questions for the survey and interviews.
The following three diagrams clarify the working method. The aim is to develop a typology of social and public services that distinguish those strengthening democratic attitudes and trust and those weakening them. This typology, based on the adapted RDJ framework, identifies the underlying reasons for such a distinction, suggesting how public services should be designed to create trust and participation. These findings can be used to engage in dialogue with those responsible for social and public services.
The first diagram shows the various steps leading to the typology, the second shows the steps leading from the social policy report to the typology, and the third diagram shows the steps leading to the survey. The survey feeds into the social policy reports as the conversations in the discussion groups (next diagram).
The various steps lead to a typology of social services.
The typology helps us to compare the different services within and between countries. It also helps us to develop proposals for an expanded service that gives people confidence in society.
These proposals are developed in discussion groups. The interviewees can participate in a discussion group.
Here we discuss the results of the interviews and social policy, using the results of the survey, develop aspirations for social services, and then engage in dialogue with those responsible (Cross Talk). All of this leads to a national and European campaign for stronger and more trustworthy services.
