ConnectMe - prototyping safe spaces to talk

Purpose and goal

The project focused on the societal challenge with a growing polarization in the public discourse. Sweden's democracy model is based on citizen participation, where the media play an important role as a place for dialogue. With a change in media use, however, there is a need to explore new methods and digital tools for this. The goal of the project was to create a solution that can make it easier for people to meet in a safe and inclusive way. In the project, we explored e.g. how to use newspaper content constructively, in order to attract even those who do not usually participate.

Results

The project developed and suggest methods for working with constructive journalism and reader engagement, designed user scenarios and concept ideas, as well as an early prototype of a digital tool tested with user groups. The result serve as a basis for further development in a stage 3 project where the implementation of a chosen solution is further developed and tested in a real environment.

Project process

RISE, Mitt i Direkt AB, Norr Media AB and Södertörn University jointly carry out a design and prototyping process where constructive journalism and digital tools are tested together with user groups in a lab environment. Content in Mitt i Direkt AB's newspaper will be linked to the innovation process in the project.