With a clear structure in place, the next stage was content development. This was a complex process that required synthesising research, incorporating best practices, and ensuring the content remained practical.
Gathering and Organising Information
Content development started with gathering data from various sources:
- Research on urban resilience and youth participation. We analysed existing methods and reports to ground the toolkit in evidence-based practices.
- Case studies of successful projects. We collected examples of young people and city governments working together effectively to enhance resilience.
- Review on participation workshops methods. The workshops must ensure a high level of participation of young people, so all methods were checked on this criterion.
Once we had all this material, the challenge was translating theory into action—making the content practical, engaging, and easy to apply.
Writing for Clarity and Impact
One of the biggest hurdles in toolkit writing is striking a balance between depth and simplicity. We focused on making the content:
- Action-oriented. Instead of just explaining concepts, we provided concrete steps and instructions.
- Engaging and interactive. The text included reflection questions, practical exercises, and real-life scenarios.
- Relevant to different audiences. While young people were the primary users, the toolkit also needed to be useful for municipal staff and NGOs.
Incorporating Case Studies and Best Practices
Real-world examples were a crucial part of the toolkit. We selected case studies from various European cities to illustrate key concepts, ensuring diversity in location, scale, and approach. These case studies served as inspiration, showing users how resilience strategies had been successfully implemented elsewhere.
With the content developed, the next phase will focus on testing and refining the toolkit based on user feedback. This will involve pilot implementations and gathering insights from those who use it in real-world contexts. Once this stage is completed, we’ll finalise the design and dissemination strategy.
Stay tuned for Part 4, where we’ll explore how we tested, adjusted, and prepared the toolkit for broader use!
YEPP