UNICEF | National-Scale UX Research
The project is a short-term consultancy to engage adolescents in developing UNICEF Turkey's Country Programme Document (CPD) using Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies. The aim is to create a youth-friendly HCD module and facilitate engagement sessions with various adolescent groups. The consultancy will produce digital and audio-visual reports, a final narrative report, and present lessons learned and recommendations to UNICEF and its partners.
Scope
UX Design Research, Design Thinking Workshop
Role
UX Consultant
Client
UNICEF
Year
2019-2020
Overview
How might we empower adolescents to actively participate in the Human-Centered Design process to ensure their voices and needs are effectively integrated into the UNICEF's Country Programme Document?
As a Senior UX/UI Designer, I was engaged by UNICEF Turkey for a short-term consultancy to develop a Human-Centered Design (HCD) module aimed at empowering adolescents to participate in the creation of UNICEF's Country Programme Document (CPD). The project's core challenge was to ensure that the voices and needs of young people were effectively integrated into UNICEF's planning processes.
Problem
UNICEF Turkey faced a significant challenge in meaningfully engaging adolescents in the development of their Country Programme Document. The lack of effective engagement methods resulted in:
Adolescents feeling their perspectives were overlooked
Programs that didn't adequately address youth needs and concerns
Decreased participation in UNICEF initiatives
Missed opportunities to address critical issues affecting adolescents
Eroded trust between young people and institutions
Problem Statement
UNICEF Turkey needed a structured, youth-friendly approach to facilitate adolescent engagement in decision-making processes that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are included in the development of the Country Programme Document.
Process
Our process involved three key phases:
Phase 1: Developing the HCD Module
I designed a youth-friendly Human-Centered Design toolkit that included:
Structured modules on HCD principles
Guidelines for understanding needs, idea creation, prototyping, and iteration
Materials tailored for adolescent engagement
Phase 2: Design Research Workshops
We conducted a series of workshops across Turkey, which included:
Orientation on HCD principles
Brainstorming sessions
Modeling and prototyping exercises
"Design and Change" participatory sessions
Phase 3: Digital and Visual Reporting
I developed comprehensive materials to capture the workshop outcomes:
Illustrations of key concepts and ideas
Recorded sessions and interviews
Visual documentation of participants' experiences
Solutions
The solution comprised three main components:
Youth-Friendly HCD Module
A toolkit designed to guide adolescents through the HCD process, making it accessible and engaging.
Facilitated Workshops
A series of engagement sessions with diverse adolescent groups across Turkey, using the HCD module to gather insights and ideas.
Comprehensive Reporting
Digital and audio-visual reports that captured the essence of the workshops, adolescent contributions, and key recommendations.
Results
The project achieved significant outcomes:
Extensive Youth Engagement
251 adolescents (127 girls and 124 boys) engaged across 9 cities in Turkey
Innovative Solution Ideas
Adolescents generated a wide range of ideas across various themes including education, social support, and inclusion
Creation of a "Design Kit of Ideas"
A collection of youth-designed solutions to address challenges in an ever-changing world
Improved UNICEF Methodologies
UNICEF Turkey recognized the importance of continuing to develop HCD methodologies for youth engagement
Expanded Youth Role
The project demonstrated the potential for adolescents to influence public goods and services
These results highlight the success of the HCD module in empowering adolescents to actively participate in UNICEF's planning processes, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in future programs.
