| Keywords: | Prioritization; Motivation for participation |
| Objectives: | Visualising what is important and necessary for the group. Reflecting on the motivation for participating in specific groups and workshops. |
| Target group: | Adults and young adults. |
| Duration: | 120 to 180 minutes for the longer, in-depth version 60 to 90 minutes for the shorter version. |
| Methodology step-by-step: | Divide the participants into groups based on certain criteria such as age or gender. Clearly explain the goal and approach of the exercise. Tell the participants that the statements on the template are in a completely random order. Give each of the participants the priority template. They must prioritize all the statements on the template individually, based on a scale where 10 is the most important priority. It is not possible to give the same number of points to two statements. When they have finished, they present their priorities to the other members of their group. A selected group leader continuously collects the results in a common template, thus a picture emerges of the group’s overall priorities. If there are major differences, the group must “negotiate” a final priority or choose a final group list another way. Once the group has agreed upon a common list, they write it on a large piece of paper in order of priority. The group leader must also note on their own paper where there may have been significant differences, including where the highest priorities among one of more group members may not be included in the common list or are placed low on the common list. Each group leader presents their group’s priorities in plenary and then hangs the paper up in the room. Discuss the results. Prepare a common priority list which can form the basis for the further planning of activities and events. It doesn’t have to contain 10 priorities – it can have more or fewer. Discuss the priorities not included on the list or which are low down on the list of priorities. NOTE: The room must be large enough for the groups to have space to work and not disturb each other. It must be made clear at the beginning of the exercise that criticism of another person’s priorities is not allowed. |
| Resources needed: | – Priority templates (see below), adapted as much as possible to the current target group. One template per participant and at least 2 templates for the summary process in the groups and a final template for the common priorities. – Flip charts for the final group priorities to be shown in the room. – Possibly powerpoint to describe step-by-step the priority process. |
| Challenges: | As in all group processes, there is a danger of a group dynamic where some participants dominate and others are reluctant to express their wishes if they are not in line with the wishes of the dominant persons. |
