HUWY D7.3. Sustainability and Scalability Plan.

Taylor-Smith, Ella; Gibson, Gareth; Kimpeler, Simone; O'Kane, Feargal; McCusker, Paul; R��ler, Anette; Visnapuu, Triin

Abstract

The HUWY project is piloting a distributed discussion model for eParticipation in which young people?s discussions, on Internet policy issues, are networked together by “hub” websites. The HUWY pilot ran in Estonia, Germany, Ireland and the UK between 2009 and early 2011, using a combination of online and offline approaches. This Sustainability and Scalability Report aims to identify the possibilities and challenges in terms of future use of the HUWY model and technology. In order to do this, the strengths and weaknesses of the implementation are assessed. The distributed discussion model is outlined and the main challenges identified. The implementation of the pilot is described and assessed according to five major elements: 1. Online tools 2. Information provision 3. Supporting discussion groups 4. Involving policy-makers 5. European and transnational dimensions Each of these five elements is assessed using feedback and data gathered in the HUWY evaluation process, including input from young people, policy-makers and the HUWY teams, combined with quantitative data extracted from the online tools and technical assessments. This enables us to provide recommendations to anyone intending to implement a similar initiative, while providing valuable contextual information gathered from the pilots in four quite different countries. The report uses the experience of the HUWY teams and input from external interested parties to identify how the HUWY model (processes and technology) could be used in the future. Partners have talked with specific organisations and projects, interested in using the HUWY model and adapted tools. The report concludes with a series of recommendations for implementing distributed discussions with a mixture of online and offline elements. The recommendations are useful to those interested in using eParticipation to increase young people?s democratic engagement in a specific issue and particularly relevant to science and technology issues.

Citation

Taylor-Smith, E., Gibson, G., Kimpeler, S., O'Kane, F., McCusker, P., Rößler, A., & Visnapuu, T. (2011). HUWY D7.3. Sustainability and Scalability Plan. Edinburgh: European Commission

• Report Type: Technical Report
• Publication Date: 2011
• Deposit Date: Aug 24, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 31, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Hub websites; youth participation; eParticipation; engagement; policy-makers
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/4600