By Lorrin Windahl.

It’s always difficult to design a product solution for an unfamiliar demographic. But this is especially true when that demographic is a community in a developing country. There are so many different factors to consider that it is naive to think that, as designers, we can understand them from afar and without prejudice. And there are countless examples of well intentioned product solutions that have failed primarily because they didn’t take into account the local culture. But what if we gave the problem solving tools to the communities themselves so that they could learn to solve their own problems? Well, that is exactly what design consultancy frog is offering with their Collective Action Toolkit.

frog’s Collective Action Toolkit. Image: urbaninteraction.net

The toolkit is a 72 page booklet that documents how a group might tackle problems within their community. The toolkit was developed as a result of difficulties that frog encountered when working with adolescent girls in Nairobi, Kenya. The standalone guide is aimed at eradicating the need for external designers or facilitators. Groups can conduct the  problem solving process independently and start to make positive change within their own community.

The universal language used for the toolkit means that it can be used by groups anywhere in the world, not just in developing countries.

If you would like to learn more about the project or download the toolkit visit frog’s website.