Open Space as a tool for summarizing results

Summing up the project work is an important process, so we continued this tradition not just by compiling a list of completed cases or publicly announcing indicators of success of project activities. We approached this more creatively and implemented an event in the Open Space format, take part in which we invited participants from a number of previous project activities held during August-December 2021.

Open Space is a methodology for holding meetings, conferences, strategic sessions, public discussions, etc., which begins without a predetermined agenda and suggests its development by participants in the course of the event on a self-organization basis. Open space methodology works most effectively when a significant number of highly motivated leaders of equal social status gather together to discuss complex and unstructured issues.

There were quite a lot of feedback about the format, and this is not surprising, because the creation of a space for joint creativity and the search for new solutions by participants of various professions and directions gave an impetus to the production of ideas in related fields. It was also emphasized that such a technique helped to find the most effective solutions for peacebuilding and conflict resolution, which could be supplemented during group discussions.

The work was quite lively during the event, it captivated all the participants, which requires the high skill of the facilitator and the ability to involve all those present into the general process and rhythm of the work. It is important that except for the fact that participants were able to brainstorm interesting ideas for local initiatives, they also created vitrual groups that, relying on the knowledge of experts, will be able to turn them into reality. It was extremely important for us to hear from participants how they plan to move forward towards the peacebuilding. In our opinion, this is the best way to summarize the interim results of the work on the project and outline new stages of its implementation.

The event was held in the frames of the "Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Ukraine – Step Forward" project, implemented with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding programme zivik.