Method

PechaKucha Night

InformOnboardingExchange & DiscourseAnalogue1 - 3 HoursDirectly AffectedInterested PublicOrganised ActorsLarge Group from 30As Many as PossibleSimpleStructured

PechaKucha Night is an event format in which several people present their ideas, projects, experiences, or perspectives through short, image-based presentations. Each presentation consists of 20 slides, with each slide displayed for 20 seconds, resulting in a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The short presentation format creates dynamic events featuring many different perspectives. The method is particularly suitable for showcasing ideas, connecting people, and initiating discussions.

Goal

A PechaKucha Night showcases diverse perspectives, projects, and ideas. It encourages low-threshold knowledge sharing, raises awareness of important topics, and creates opportunities for networking and dialogue.

When useful?

different perspectives should be made visible.
launching a new project or participation process.
presenting initiatives, projects, or ideas.
connecting people and organisations.
raising awareness of a topic.
organising events with many participants.

When not useful?

detailed solutions need to be developed collaboratively.
intensive discussions are the main focus.
complex topics require in-depth explanation.
concrete decisions need to be made.
extensive participation or shared decision-making is intended.

Process

Choose an overall theme or framework for the event.

Examples include:

The Future of the City Centre
Sustainable Mobility
Community Engagement
Young Perspectives on the City

Invite people with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Possible participants include:

citizens
community organisations and initiatives
local government representatives
planning offices
students
local businesses

Inform presenters about the format well in advance.

Explain the rules:

20 slides
20 seconds per slide
automatic slide transitions
maximum presentation length of 6 minutes and 40 seconds

A joint briefing session or technical rehearsal is recommended.

Required equipment includes:

projector or large screen
laptop with all presentations
microphone
seating

The moderator welcomes participants and introduces:

the event topic
the programme
the rules of the PechaKucha format

Presenters deliver their talks one after another.

Important:

slides change automatically
discussions do not take place during presentations
every presenter has the same amount of speaking time

After several presentations or at the end of the event, allow time for questions and conversation.

Possible formats include:

open Q&A session
Fishbowl discussion
World Café
informal networking over refreshments

Important ideas, recurring themes, and key messages can be documented throughout the event.

Record important outcomes, including:

photographs
presentation recordings
summary report
collection of questions and ideas

Publish the presentations, photographs, or key findings online or make them available as event documentation.

Ask both participants and presenters for feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Identify topics that deserve further exploration and consider organising follow-up participation formats.

Source: Bujdosó, A. (Ed.) (2019): Social Design Cookbook: Recipes for Social Cooperation. Budapest: Kitchen Budapest.

Notes

Tips

Choose a broad enough theme to encourage a wide range of perspectives and projects.
Limit the number of presentations to maintain audience attention.
Inform presenters well in advance and offer opportunities to test the technical setup.
Focus on images rather than text-heavy slides.
The moderator should briefly introduce each presentation and ensure smooth transitions between speakers.
Allow plenty of time for networking and informal conversations after the presentations.
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere encourages participation and exchange.
The format is particularly effective for giving visibility to people who rarely have the opportunity to present their ideas publicly.

Not suitable for

concrete decisions need to be made.
complex topics require detailed explanation or discussion.
detailed planning outcomes need to be developed.
intensive discussions involving all participants are the primary objective.
extensive specialist knowledge must be communicated.
presenters have little experience with public speaking and receive no preparation or support.

Afterwards

Afterwards, methods that organise, deepen, or translate the gathered content into concrete steps are useful. Depending on the goal, the following formats can follow, for example:

Panel Discussion

A Panel Discussion is a participatory format in which different people publicly discuss a specific topic. It brings together diverse perspectives, interests, and opinions. Panelists often include experts, representatives from politics or public administration, interest groups, and people directly affected by the issue.

StructuredActivating

Open Space

Open Space is an open participation method in which participants decide for themselves which topics they want to discuss. The process is guided only by a shared overarching theme. The specific questions explored and the direction of the discussions emerge from the interests and ideas of the participants themselves. The method is particularly effective when bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Participants are free to move between discussion groups, introduce new topics, or simply listen. This creates a dynamic, self-organised environment for dialogue and collaboration.

ActivatingCreative

Future Workshop

A Future Workshop is a participatory method in which participants collaboratively analyse problems, develop visions for the future, and translate them into concrete actions. The method combines creative thinking with practical planning and is particularly suitable for topics that require innovative ideas and long-term perspectives. A Future Workshop consists of three consecutive phases: the Critique Phase, the Vision Phase, and the Implementation Phase. This structured process encourages participants to move deliberately from identifying problems to imagining desirable futures and finally to developing realistic actions. The method often leads to creative, collaboratively developed solutions.