Public service design often follows a familiar pattern: policies are created in centralized institutions and handed down to local implementers and communities. While this approach might streamline bureaucratic processes, it frequently overlooks the lived realities of those the policies are meant to serve. At AMANA, we take a different path—one rooted in co-creation.
Why Co-Creation Matters
Co-creation is more than inviting stakeholders to a consultation. It’s about rebalancing power, building mutual respect, and designing solutions with those directly affected by them. When public services are developed in isolation from users, they risk irrelevance—or worse, resistance.
We see co-creation as a core mechanism for increasing legitimacy, responsiveness, and sustainability. It allows us to develop solutions that are grounded in local needs while aligning with national priorities. More importantly, it ensures communities and frontline workers feel ownership over the initiatives they help build.
From Listening to Designing Together
In our projects, co-creation begins with deep listening. We engage stakeholders through participatory methods—community mapping, stakeholder interviews, empathy workshops, and iterative feedback loops. These aren’t add-ons; they’re embedded in how we design, strategize, and implement.
For example, in one youth employment initiative, we didn’t just speak with policymakers. We invited vocational school students, employers, local government officials, and teachers into the same room. Together, they identified barriers and co-developed practical interventions, from skills certification schemes to mentorship networks. The result: a roadmap that was not only actionable but also widely supported.
Building Capacity Along the Way
True co-creation also builds capability. AMANA doesn’t parachute in with ready-made solutions—we transfer knowledge, train facilitators, and embed processes that empower partners to continue co-designing beyond the scope of our engagement. This long-term thinking helps create self-sustaining ecosystems where innovation becomes a habit, not a one-time effort.
We also use co-creation as a tool for conflict resolution. In multi-stakeholder environments with competing interests—such as urban redevelopment or health system restructuring—bringing diverse voices together fosters alignment, empathy, and compromise.
Designing for Scale and Equity
Co-created solutions are often more adaptable and scalable because they are rooted in diverse experiences. By drawing from different contexts and sectors, we uncover insights that wouldn’t emerge from a single vantage point.
Crucially, co-creation also brings equity to the forefront. It allows marginalized groups—often left out of formal planning processes—to influence the design of services that affect them most. For AMANA, this isn’t just a method—it’s a principle.
The AMANA Commitment
We know that systems change doesn’t happen in silos. It requires bridges between people, policies, and practice. Co-creation is our way of building those bridges—honoring local wisdom while introducing tools for systems thinking and strategic action.
As we look ahead, AMANA remains committed to designing with, not for. We believe public service delivery is at its best when it’s collaborative, inclusive, and human-centered. Co-creation isn’t just a process—it’s a promise to the people we serve.
