Method
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Competition

ParticipateHave a sayConcept DevelopmentDeveloping IdeasAnalogueDigitalHybridSeveral WeeksSeveral MonthsDirectly AffectedInterested PublicHard-to-Reach GroupsSmall Group up to 15Medium Group up to 30Large Group from 30PlayfulCreative

A Competition is a participation method in which citizens are invited to submit their own ideas, proposals, or projects on a specific topic. The aim is to generate creative ideas, encourage participation, and actively involve people in planning or design processes. Prizes, public recognition, or the possibility of having ideas implemented can provide additional motivation for participation.

Goal

The goal of a Competition is to generate new ideas, perspectives, and creative solutions while motivating people to contribute actively to shaping their community. At the same time, the method raises awareness of a topic and provides an accessible way for a broad range of people to participate.

When useful?

  • collecting creative ideas and proposals
  • raising awareness of a specific topic
  • involving a large number of people through an accessible format
  • engaging new target groups
  • addressing open-ended questions with room for creative solutions
  • making different perspectives visible

When not useful?

  • strict technical or legal requirements leave little room for creativity
  • unrealistic expectations about implementation could arise
  • the topic requires intensive discussion or conflict resolution

Process

Begin by considering:

  • What is the focus of the competition?
  • What type of submissions are expected?
  • How will the submitted ideas be used afterwards?

Examples include:

  • ideas for public spaces
  • mobility solutions
  • design concepts for a neighbourhood
  • proposals to improve community life

Important:

The theme should be clearly defined while leaving sufficient room for creativity.

Consider:

  • Who should participate?
  • Should the competition be open to everyone or focus on specific groups?

Examples include:

  • young people
  • schools
  • universities
  • community organisations
  • neighbourhood groups
  • professionals
  • the general public

Adapt the language, communication channels, and participation requirements to the intended audience.

Establish early:

  • the submission deadline
  • accepted submission formats
  • length or scope of submissions
  • evaluation criteria
  • data protection requirements
  • intellectual property and usage rights

Important:

The rules should be transparent, concise, and easy to understand.

Consider:

  • Who will evaluate the submissions?
  • How will the winners be selected?

Possible approaches include:

  • an expert jury
  • public voting
  • a combination of both

Evaluation criteria may include:

  • creativity
  • feasibility
  • sustainability
  • public benefit

Recognition does not necessarily have to be financial.

Possible forms include:

  • cash prizes
  • vouchers
  • public exhibitions
  • publication of the ideas
  • public presentations
  • symbolic awards

Important:

All participants—not only the winners—should receive recognition for their contributions.

Use communication channels such as:

  • social media
  • websites
  • local media
  • public events
  • schools
  • community organisations

Providing examples or inspirational projects can help participants better understand the type of submissions being sought.

At the start of the competition, communicate publicly:

  • the competition theme
  • participation rules
  • submission deadlines
  • the evaluation process

Participation should be as simple and accessible as possible.

Participants submit their ideas during the designated submission period.

Submissions may include:

  • digital entries
  • written proposals
  • drawings
  • images
  • physical models

Submissions can be collected through:

  • online forms
  • digital platforms
  • email
  • printed submissions

Important:

Participants should be able to ask questions and receive clarification throughout the submission period.

After the submission deadline, all entries are collected and assessed.

Evaluation should follow the predefined criteria and be carried out by:

  • the jury
  • the public
  • or both

Important:

The evaluation process should be transparent and understandable.

The results can be presented:

  • at a public event
  • on social media
  • through an exhibition

Most importantly:

All submitted ideas should be acknowledged and appreciated, not only the winning entries.

Prepare a summary of:

  • submitted ideas
  • recurring themes
  • winning entries
  • particularly innovative approaches

The documentation should be made publicly available.

Thank all participants and provide information about:

  • the competition results
  • the next steps
  • possible implementation of submitted ideas

Providing feedback strengthens motivation and trust.

The submitted proposals can:

  • inform planning processes
  • be further developed
  • become the basis for public discussions
  • be explored in greater depth through workshops

Important:

Clearly communicate how the submitted ideas will be used after the competition.

Review the process by considering:

  • Which target groups were reached?
  • What worked particularly well?
  • What challenges emerged?

These insights can improve future competitions and participation activities

Source: https://mobilitaetsplanung-hessen.de/methodenkoffer-partizipative-planung/

Notes

Tips

  • Keep participation simple and easy to understand.
  • Clear evaluation criteria help build trust in the process.
  • Providing examples or inspiration can reduce barriers to participation.
  • Public recognition often increases motivation to participate.
  • Communicate transparently how the submitted ideas will be considered and developed further.

Not suitable for

  • topics with no genuine scope for action
  • confidential or highly conflict-sensitive processes
  • purely technical planning tasks
  • situations requiring rapid decision-making

Similar Methods

Open SpaceActivating · CreativeWorkshopCreative · ActivatingOnline ParticipationStructured · Activating

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:

Workshop

A workshop is a facilitated working session in which participants collaborate to explore a specific question, develop ideas, or create solutions. Depending on its purpose, a workshop can be used to share information, analyse problems, or develop concrete actions. Because all participants are actively involved, it is particularly well suited to the collaborative development of results.

CreativeActivating

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

Planning Workshop

A Planning Workshop is a participatory method in which residents work together with planning professionals, public authorities, and policymakers on concrete planning projects. During collaborative workshop sessions, participants discuss ideas, identify challenges, and develop proposals that are visualised directly on maps, plans, or physical models. The method is particularly suitable for urban development and design projects where local knowledge and community perspectives should actively inform the planning process.

ActivatingCreative
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