What the Methodology Is
Understanding the foundation and purpose of this approach
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Participathon is a dynamic “true participation + hackathon” model designed to engage young people in co‑creating solutions to real social challenges. It provides an intensive, supportive, and creativity‑driven process that strengthens young people’s sense of belonging, agency, and purpose, while making civic engagement relevant and exciting.
The methodology responds to growing challenges facing young people today – including declining wellbeing, polarisation, and societal pressure linked to materialism and social media – by offering a constructive, empowering space for them to influence change. Rooted in Ashoka’s mission “Everyone a Changemaker”, Participathon helps create meaningful, ethical, and effective participation opportunities for youth.
We believe that there is no participation without implementation, so the very important part of the process is to assure implementation of the ideas that are created during the session.
How It Can Be Used
Practical applications and implementation guidance
This methodology can be applied in participation processes such as youth consultations, co‑design workshops, innovation labs, civic engagement projects, and research‑informed design sessions, etc. It enables teams to engage young people in identifying problems, generating ideas, and shaping practical solutions that they find motivating and meaningful.
Participathon is particularly useful when organisations want to:
- design services, programmes, or policies with young people and not only for them
- understand what makes social involvement attractive and accessible to youth
- test ideas quickly through collective creativity
- create a sense of community and belonging around shared challenges
The model offers structured guidance for deep engagement, ideation, problem‑solving, and collaborative decision‑making over a focused 2‑day process – with preparation support beforehand and implementation after the process.
Focus on Inclusion
The Participathon methodology places a strong emphasis on inclusive, safe, and empowering participation. It is intentionally designed to welcome young people from diverse ages, genders, abilities, cultures, and life experiences.
It supports inclusion by:
- using accessible, youth‑friendly communication and facilitation
- ensuring voluntary participation and emotionally safe spaces
- valuing lived experience as expertise
- creating flexible roles so young people with different strengths can contribute
- enabling both verbal and non‑verbal forms of co‑creation
- welcoming the use of technology when helpful, while never making tech a barrier
By grounding engagement in respect, shared ownership, and accountability, Participathon helps build environments where all young people feel heard, supported, and capable of influencing real change.
Contributors
Organizations and individuals who developed this methodology
Ashoka
Ashoka Poland – as a Youth Changemaking Program(part of Ashoka – Global network of social innovators and changemakers https://www.ashoka.org)
Testimonials
Voices from those who have experienced this methodology
