Fostering the empowerment of long-term unemployed people, Kwizie is an innovative app that transforms passive video watching into interactive quiz games. By recognising, developing, and validating the user’s competencies, the initiative supports clients’ opportunities to pursue vocational or degree-targeted studies and improve their job search skills.

With the use of AI technology, Kwizie fosters informal learning. For example, one of the educational subjects is how to navigate the job market, such as employment laws, regulations, and practices. For many, work-life concepts can pose challenges, especially in written form. However, gamified learning can make the content more appealing, enhancing its understanding.

Supporting the city of Helsinki‘s Rehabilitative Work Activities department and the city of Tallinn‘s Welfare and Health Care Department, the solution eases their user’s transition from social services to employment or education, promoting social inclusion and reducing the barriers faced by this vulnerable group.

A deviation from the pilot plan changed the project’s aim. Addressing the challenge of digital inclusion amongst Tallinn’s unemployed citizens, the project shifted towards enhancing worker training, ensuring they are well-equipped to effectively support this vulnerable community.

Co-creation in action

Aiming to create a solution tailored to address the target group’s needs, collaborative methodology was a necessity. Engaging multiple stakeholders such as coaches, members of the target group, and other relevant parties, a total of 13 co-creation events were organised, which allowed:

• Sharing experiences and understanding specific challenges of the target community
• Receiving real-time feedback and discussing usability enhancements, ensuring the reliability of content
• Addressing some challenges, such as managing user’s diverse needs and expectations

Impact and future steps

Results from both cities showed Kwizie’s effectiveness in aiding learners to understand complex topics. The transformation of text-based educational materials into interactive video content proved highly effective. These positive outcomes highlight the tool’s potential to bridge the gap between informal learning and formal recognition of skills.

Highlighting the values of CommuniCity, as a cross-border pilot of the Second Round of Open Calls, this project underscores the value of co-creation between members of the target group and other stakeholders. Learn more about Kwizie here (In Finnish).

The CommuniCity pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls continue running until the end of May 2025.

For individuals with disabilities, navigating a city can be difficult, especially when accessibility data is outdated or incomplete. To tackle this challenge, CommuniCity launched a pilot in Helsinki and Tallinn during its second round of open calls, using crowdsourced mapping to enhance urban accessibility. This initiative was led in partnership with Riesa Consultative Oy and Crowdsorsa.

Co-Creation in Action

This initiative engaged city representatives, accessibility experts, and end-users in a collaborative process to map key accessibility features such as pedestrian crossings, pathways, and audio beacons. Participants used the Crowdsorsa mobile game to collect real-time data, ensuring that accessibility information was up to date and relevant to those who need it most.

Workshops played a crucial role in shaping the pilot. End-users and municipal stakeholders worked together to identify challenges, refine data collection methods, and propose improvements. Transparency and adaptability were key, allowing for real-time adjustments based on participant feedback.

Solution and Impact

The collected data provides cities with valuable insights to enhance accessibility planning and infrastructure. Key benefits include:
-A more inclusive approach to urban design based on real user experiences
-Improved data for municipal decision-making on accessibility measures
-Strengthened engagement between local governments and marginalised communities

While focused on individuals with disabilities, the pilot also benefits the wider public by making urban navigation easier for all. This initiative reinforces CommuniCity’s commitment to citizen-centred innovation, demonstrating how co-creation can drive meaningful urban improvements.

The Communicity pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls are currently running until the end of May 2025.

Did you know that 1.5 million people in the Netherlands are deaf or hearing-impaired? With this in mind, CommuniCity invited tech providers to explore ways to improve accessibility in public transport communication.

Fonetic responded to this challenge by developing a solution aimed at making public transportation more inclusive. Using AI technology, the app converts spoken public transport announcements into text messages in the user’s preferred language.

Co-creation process

To better understand the challenges faced by the target group, research was conducted in collaboration with the deaf community. One of the co-creation sessions included both hearing-impaired volunteers and local policymakers.

By facilitating dialogue between tech developers and volunteers, the process helped create a prototype that addresses real-life difficulties in accessing transport information.

Solution and Impact

The developed tool enhances accessibility in public transportation and offers additional benefits, such as:

• Reducing information overload in transit environments
• Improving the integration of travel information within vehicles

While designed for individuals with hearing impairments, the solution can also benefit the general public by improving access to public announcements.

Aligned with CommuniCity’s ethical approach, this pilot highlights how collaborative methods can lead to effective technological solutions. CommuniCity remains committed to supporting citizen-centred innovation to address digital, urban, and social challenges. The pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls will continue running until the end of May 2025.

Facing a challenge proposed by CommuniCity’s Second Round of Open Calls, Duckwise ApS suggested the co-creation of a user-centred and intuitive app that simplifies the process of setting up a bank account, making the often complex Danish administrative system easier to navigate. Specifically targeting foreigners, this solution assists the new citizens with bank bureaucracy, benefiting banks, relocation consultants, politicians, and citizen service workers as well.

The Co-Creation Process

The development of this solution has incorporated a cooperative methodology from the beginning. The co-creation activities included:

• Interviewing foreigners, bank workers, and relocation consultants to better understand the current challenges.
• Inviting the target groups as participants in a co-creation workshop, granting them the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.
• Creating a prototype based on the feedback received.
• Testing the prototype with the assistance of bank representatives and foreigner users.

Following CommuniCity’s principles, this pilot invited potential consumers to be involved in most of the process. By combining their knowledge and experiences, the project has structured a product that empowers new citizens to overcome challenges of the banking system.

Replication Potential

The project highlights the importance of connecting communities with technological innovators, offering them the opportunity to co-create solutions for real-life challenges and difficult scenarios. Given the interest shown by participants in developing more inclusive and intuitive administrative systems, there is potential to replicate the pilot’s methodology across-borders.

CommuniCity will continue supporting marginalised communities across Europe, as the tech pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls are now running until the end of May 2025.

As part of the CommuniCity Second Round of Open Calls, a pilot in Helsinki is advancing healthcare innovation through a sensor system designed to help prevent pressure ulcers in wheelchair users. This cutting-edge technology was developed by Suomen Digitaalinen Tehdas Oy in collaboration with Touchlab Limited, drawing on intensive co-creation efforts involving care professionals, researchers, and the pilot team.

Collaborative Innovation: A Co-Creation Success Story

The pilot aimed to refine a sensor-based system that alerts caregivers to pressure buildup on wheelchair cushions—an essential tool in preventing debilitating pressure ulcers. Over several months, the team conducted multiple co-creation workshops and on-site fittings with care professionals and end-users at Helsinki’s Kivelä Senior Centre and other locations.

Frequent and transparent communication emerged as a cornerstone of the pilot’s success. Feedback loops between developers, subcontractors, and healthcare providers allowed the team to adapt the sensor to real-world conditions, overcoming challenges such as material durability and varying wheelchair configurations. This iterative approach refined the product and strengthened trust and collaboration among stakeholders.

From Prototype to Market-Ready Solution

The pilot focused on enhancing the sensor’s usability, including ease of installation, compatibility with wheelchair cushions, and app-based controls for care professionals. These efforts resulted in a market-ready, standalone device meeting high safety, hygiene, and adaptability standards, with features like machine-washable components and robust battery performance, paving the way for wider adoption.

Next Steps

With promising results from the Helsinki pilot, the team is gearing up for further testing and development. Plans are underway to collect additional user data in collaboration with healthcare providers, ensuring the solution continues to evolve based on real-world needs.

The CommuniCity project, which supports technology pilots across Europe, has demonstrated the power of co-creation and collaboration in driving social innovation. Currently, CommuniCity is launching its Third Open Call pilots, expected to run in 16 European cities until the end of May 2025.

The CoTown Kasmoni Community Exchange pilot, part of the CommuniCity Second round of open calls, has successfully concluded its second round of piloting, bringing innovative solutions to foster social cohesion and economic empowerment in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 by facilitating partnerships among local corporations, governments, non-profits, and residents.

Objectives and Approach

The pilot aimed to create a community platform paired with offline activities to facilitate resource sharing, collaboration, and funding for social impact projects. Co-creation workshops and feedback sessions tailored the platform to the community’s needs. Inclusive and transparent engagement strategies addressed challenges like initial scepticism toward tech solutions.

Key Features

1. Platform Development: Designed collaboratively, the platform offers an intuitive interface, offline events, and mentoring opportunities.
2. Offline Activities: Events strengthened social connections and ensured inclusivity, with evening and small-group formats encouraging wider participation.
3. Community Engagement: Local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and residents contributed through brainstorming sessions, persona canvases, and prototype reviews.

Outcomes and Learnings

The pilot engaged over 100 participants, including key target groups. Key lessons include:

• Combining digital tools with offline activities to improve accessibility.
• Involving stakeholders early to build trust and relevance.
• Addressing legal and financial aspects before full development.
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Co-Creation Processs

The pilot’s success stemmed from its co-creation process, emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity. Highlights include:

• Diverse Participation: Community members from varied backgrounds and influential leaders fostered trust and engagement.
• Transparent Methods: Small-group activities and icebreakers ensured active participation and comfort.
• Valuable Insights: Digital solutions must pair with offline activities, and advisory components are critical for sustainable impact.

This approach ensured the platform was aligned with community needs, enhancing its potential for adoption and long-term success.

Future Plans

The CoTown Kasmoni project is gearing up for further development, with plans to:

• Secure additional funding and establish a business model with Stadsdeel ZuidOost.
• Host community events to refine the prototype.
• Build partnerships with similar initiatives for greater impact.

By prioritizing community input, this pilot offers a replicable model for fostering shared prosperity and addressing local challenges. As the Second-Round pilots reveals their results and impact across European cities, the Third Open Call pilots are now launching, running until May 2025 across 15 cities and nine countries.

How can technology address the digital skills gap among unemployed individuals? In Helsinki, Stereoscape Oy tackled this challenge by using an interactive, gamified survey tool to assess and enhance digital competencies, offering tailored training based on individual skill levels. This initiative, part of the CommuniCity Second Round of Open Calls, aimed to empower marginalized groups.

Developed in collaboration with local and international partners, the platform offered personalized assessments and was adapted for use in Porto (Portugal) and Tallinn (Estonia). The process included nine workshops and three user testing sessions, with continuous refinements based on feedback.

Key Features:

• Gamified Surveys: Personalized digital skills assessments through branched scenarios.
• Cross-border Collaboration: Adapted for diverse audiences in Helsinki, Porto, and Tallinn.

Co-Creation Process

Collaboration was central to the pilot, with input from unemployed individuals and digital trainers guiding each step. Nine workshops in Helsinki focused on platform selection, survey design, and tool testing. User testing with three groups provided valuable insights for ongoing improvements. The solution was developed in collaboration with partners in Porto and Tallinn, using tools like Mural and bi-weekly meetings to align goals and address local needs. This co-creation approach ensured the final product addressed real-world challenges, fostering ownership among participants.

Results:

• Developed a tool to assess digital skills and guide individuals toward appropriate courses.
• Identified varied skill levels, enabling tailored interventions.
• Increased engagement and provided valuable insights for trainers.

Future Steps:

• Expanding and refining the platform with partners.
• Creating instructional resources and a methodological manual to support global adoption.

This cross-border pilot in Helsinki showcases how co-creation and technology can address digital skill gaps, fostering inclusion in a technology-driven society. As the Second Round pilots reveal their results and impact across European cities, the Third Open Call pilots are now launching, running until May 2025 across 15 cities and nine countries.

How can technology break down barriers to sports participation for teenage girls? In Amsterdam, the Girls Meet Up pilot addressed this challenge by co-creating a dedicated app to help girls organise and join sports events. As part of the CommuniCity Second Round of Open Calls, this initiative aimed to empower teenage girls by tackling the social and logistical barriers that often hinder their participation in sports activities.

The app not only fostered personal development and social connections but also demonstrated the potential of community-driven technological solutions to promote inclusivity and engagement.

Pilot Overview

The Girls Meet Up pilot focused on two primary areas:

• App Development: A user-friendly mobile app was created to connect girls with sports events, coaches, and clubs in their communities. The app included features such as event organization, notifications, and a feedback loop for continuous improvement.
• Community Engagement: Co-creation sessions were held with teenage girls, sports organizations, and community leaders to ensure the app met the specific needs and preferences of its users.

Throughout the project, 12 co-creation sessions were conducted with 20 participants, including teenage girls, sports coaches, and local ambassadors. Iterative testing and refinement ensured the app remained aligned with user needs.

Results & Co-Creation Process

Teenage girls played an active role as co-designers, providing critical insights that shaped the app’s design and functionality. Workshops, prototyping sessions, and feedback loops emphasized inclusivity, usability, and relevance. This collaborative approach ensured the app resonated with its target audience and addressed their key challenges.

The Girls Meet Up app featured:

• Event Management: Tools to create and join local sports events.
• Customizable Profiles: Options for users to set preferences and receive tailored recommendations.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Continuous user input to refine the app.

The pilot highlighted the importance of fostering social connections, simplifying onboarding processes, and building community trust to sustain participation.

Building on its success in Amsterdam, the Girls Meet Up pilot plans to expand its impact across the Randstad region and other European cities. Future developments focus on refining features to enhance usability, streamlining onboarding for improved accessibility, and collaborating with more sports organizations to broaden reach and impact. This initiative highlights the transformative potential of technology and co-creation in addressing social challenges, empowering teenage girls, and fostering inclusivity through innovation.