Today, 31 March 2023, marks the completion of the three-year project term for the Co-creation Project.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have been involved in this project, including those who have provided advises, participated in the activities, used or utilised our outputs, and connected with us through our website and social networking services, and supported us by all means.

Co-creation project started in April 2020, when Covid-19 hit Japan and everyone suddently was told not to go out and work from home. We were not able hold meetings in person, and newly hired members were unable to come to the office for several weeks. During the three-year project period, fieldwork and face-to-face workshops only became possible in the last six months or so. Much of the core activities were carried out in this very short time frame.

On the other hand, there have also been some positive developments. Online activities have become the standard worldwide, and we have been able to connect with a wide range of researchers in Japan and abroad from Kyoto. We have also focused on online methods and created this website as well as various social networking accounts, from which many new connections have been made. For example, recently, the manager of i2Insights, an internationally popular platform for TD resources, has approached us to introduce one of our project’s activity (i.e. development of TD patterns). The article has been published this week. (https://i2insights.org/2023/03/28/patterns-for-co-creation/)

Project moves to the next stage

Co-creation project will move to the stage of Completed Research for three years from April 2023. We would like to compile and analyse the data we have ‘gathered’ during the final year, write a paper or book, and present the results at conferences and research meetings.

We look forward to your continued support, advice and encouragement.

Final remarks

I would like to finish with a summary of my lessons learnt after three years’ internsive learning on co-creation.

Co-creation is not always necessary or efficient means for problem solving. However, when you face a big challenge that you cannot handle by yourself, if you can work with someone else and find a way to solve it together, co-creation can be incredibly rewarding and fun.

As co-creation is not easy, many of the people trying to do co-creation are struggling, but they are also sparkling. It has been an honour and pleasure to meet and work with all these wonnderful people through this project.

31 March 2023
Project leader, Co-creation of project
Yuko Onishi