Collective Action Toolkit
The Collective Action Toolkit (2nd edition) is a set of activities and methods that enables groups of people anywhere to organize, collaborate, and create solutions for problems affecting their community.
It guides users through methods according to six action areas, with suggested pathways from one method to the next. For each method, step-by-step instructions are given, in addition to the time, roles, and materials needed. Some methods include canvasses to guide activity.
The toolkit is available in English, Chinese, French, and Spanish.
CHAMPION:Can be remixed
The Collective Action Toolkit (CAT) uses an action map that comprises of six main areas: ‘Clarify’ the goal, ‘Build’ the group, ‘Seek’ new understanding, ‘Imagine’ more ideas, ‘Make’ something real, and ‘Plan’ for action. This toolkit is very similar to Design Thinking toolkit, where the primary method is to go through the phases of ‘inspiration’, ‘ideation’, and ‘implementation’ through iteration. The CAT action map also breaks down each stage with different sets of activities. This toolkit is especially useful to engage participants that are new to each other. The toolkit exercises also act as an ice breaker to get the participants involved to get the idea of who they are working with and learn to become a team player by listening to different ideas.
Additionally, each stage requires at least one facilitator. Thus, the toolkit is particularly useful for citizens participation in public sector activities or for organisations to involve new recruits in the design thinking process for new projects, for example. This would allow participants to have a sense of ownership for the project, and the presence of facilitator is needed to ensure that each stage is within the time limit, and each tool is used correctly.