The IDEate team facilitated a Communities of Practice (COP) workshop at Cork City Hall, bringing together nine members from different departments of Cork City Council, all interested in the shared domain of innovation. The workshop focused on fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation while engaging stakeholders in the first stage of a seven-stage iterative COP framework and accompanying toolkit. Discussions highlighted the need for culture change and innovation, both digital and non-digital, and a structured approach to achieving long-term goals. The workshop sparked new connections, including collaboration between Cork City and Dublin South County Council and renewed engagement between other groups.
Approach
The workshop used an iterative seven-stage Communities of Practice (CoP) framework, focusing on the initial “Identify” stage. The group activities were designed to explore participants’ motivations and aspirations, while encouraging engagement on key topics such as stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. The stakeholders used shared worksheets and a card based toolkit to help them complete the group activities
The workshop began with an interactive session to understand participants’ motivations for forming a COP. Through collaborative exercises using activity worksheets and a card-based toolkit, participants shared insights on the need for culture change and innovation. Discussions emphasized both digital and non-digital advancements, with a focus on community building. The workshop encouraged stakeholders to set clear short, medium, and long-term goals to maximize the benefits of the COP.
Impact
The workshop had a significant impact on the nine participants from Cork City Council, who represented a diverse range of departments. Through the collaborative exercises, participants gained a deeper understanding of how a Communities of Practice (COP) could help break down silos within the council, promoting cross-departmental communication and collaboration. They also expressed a newfound enthusiasm for innovation, both digital and non-digital, and for creating a more inclusive organizational culture.
Participants left with a clearer vision of how the COP framework could support their work, with a focus on setting achievable short, medium, and long-term goals. By sharing their motivations and aspirations during the workshop, they fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment in shaping the future direction of the COP.
The workshop also inspired participants to re-engage with external networks, including the Cork External Innovation Network, and forge new relationships with other councils, such as Dublin South County Council. Overall, the workshop gave the participants a renewed sense of purpose, aligning their efforts to improve public services, enhance citizen participation, and create a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within Cork City Council.
Building Bridges: collaboration through Communities of Engagement
The IDEate team facilitated a Communities of Practice (COP) workshop at Cork City Hall, bringing together nine members from different departments of Cork City Council, all interested in the shared domain of innovation. The workshop focused on fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation while engaging stakeholders in the first stage of a seven-stage iterative COP framework and accompanying toolkit. Discussions highlighted the need for culture change and innovation, both digital and non-digital, and a structured approach to achieving long-term goals. The workshop sparked new connections, including collaboration between Cork City and Dublin South County Council and renewed engagement between other groups.
Approach
The workshop used an iterative seven-stage Communities of Practice (CoP) framework, focusing on the initial “Identify” stage. The group activities were designed to explore participants’ motivations and aspirations, while encouraging engagement on key topics such as stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. The stakeholders used shared worksheets and a card based toolkit to help them complete the group activities
The workshop began with an interactive session to understand participants’ motivations for forming a COP. Through collaborative exercises using activity worksheets and a card-based toolkit, participants shared insights on the need for culture change and innovation. Discussions emphasized both digital and non-digital advancements, with a focus on community building. The workshop encouraged stakeholders to set clear short, medium, and long-term goals to maximize the benefits of the COP.
Impact
The workshop had a significant impact on the nine participants from Cork City Council, who represented a diverse range of departments. Through the collaborative exercises, participants gained a deeper understanding of how a Communities of Practice (COP) could help break down silos within the council, promoting cross-departmental communication and collaboration. They also expressed a newfound enthusiasm for innovation, both digital and non-digital, and for creating a more inclusive organizational culture.
Participants left with a clearer vision of how the COP framework could support their work, with a focus on setting achievable short, medium, and long-term goals. By sharing their motivations and aspirations during the workshop, they fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment in shaping the future direction of the COP.
The workshop also inspired participants to re-engage with external networks, including the Cork External Innovation Network, and forge new relationships with other councils, such as Dublin South County Council. Overall, the workshop gave the participants a renewed sense of purpose, aligning their efforts to improve public services, enhance citizen participation, and create a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within Cork City Council.