The Policies Design Game - Craft Strategies While Making Sense

When designing policies for social change, having a clear overview of the landscape in which we operate is crucial. At the same time, by fostering collaboration, policy makers, public servants, policy designers, and engaged citizens can co-create adaptive, medium-long term strategies to foster an effective change in the system. This workshop empowers participants to navigate complexity and make informed, impactful decisions when designing policies for societal transformation. The core of the session centers on a case study and is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Participants will use a customized mapping tool (inspired by Wardley Maps) to analyze a case study. Working in teams, participants will examine context-specific insights—such as social behaviors, existing policies, and other critical dynamics. These insights are organized into mapping cards, which simplify the mapping process and set the stage for actionable discussions.

Part 2: Tactic cards will be introduced to inspire innovative thinking. Teams will design policies based on selected tactics, emphasizing adaptability and long-term impact. Throughout the process, participants will engage in co-creation, experiencing the power of collaboration in crafting effective and meaningful policy portfolios. 

The session concludes with a reflective sharing activity: feedback, insights, and actionable takeaways. The outcome is a set of reusable tools and ideas that participants can adapt and apply in their local contexts.

Facilitators assisting with the workshop include Giulia Bacchi, Alexandra Coutsoucos, and Julian Van Deursen.

By Social Seed & Arcolab.