Toolkit for Youth Work through
Social Permaculture and Design Thinking
Ако ову страницу отвараш из Instagram или Facebook апликације, преузимање можда неће радити у том прегледачу.
Молимо те да отвориш страницу у Chrome, Safari или другом интернет прегледачу, па затим кликнеш на ПРЕУЗМИ ИГРУ.
Free to download (PDF 25 MB)
DLAG toolkit includes
Every community holds both challenges and potential for change. Young people are often the first to notice the problems in their surroundings — in relationships, in the spaces where they live, and in the issues that shape the quality of life in their communities. However, turning these insights into meaningful action requires a process that helps ideas develop step by step.
This handbook presents one such approach. It combines the structure of the Design Thinking process with the systemic perspective of social permaculture, supporting young people and youth workers to explore challenges together and develop meaningful, sustainable solutions within their communities.
This handbook is intended for youth workers, educators, teachers, facilitators, and anyone working with groups of young people who wish to support their active participation in addressing community challenges.
The methodology is designed to be accessible even to those encountering Design Thinking or permaculture approaches for the first time. The tools are practical and flexible and can be applied in different contexts — youth work, non-formal education, schools, local initiatives, and community-based projects.
Although primarily developed for working with young people, the handbook can also be useful for anyone interested in developing initiatives based on collaboration, systems thinking, and regenerative approaches.
The methodology is organised into five interconnected phases that guide the group from the first insights to concrete action:
Although the phases are presented in sequence, the process functions as a learning cycle. Groups often return to earlier steps to refine their ideas based on what they have learned in practice.
collecting signals from the environment, relationships, and the community
deepening the understanding of causes, stakeholders, and people’s experiences
developing ideas and exploring possibilities
experimenting with ideas through simple prototypes
sharing results and building connections with the community.
This approach combines two complementary frameworks.
Design Thinking provides a clear learning process through exploration, idea generation, and testing small solutions in real-life contexts.
Social permaculture introduces a systemic perspective and an ethical framework based on care for people, care for the Earth, and fair distribution of resources.
The handbook also draws on a regenerative approach — the idea that the goal is not only to solve a problem, but to gradually strengthen relationships, resources, and the community.
These frameworks support the process, but it is not necessary for readers to fully master them before using the tools. The handbook is designed so that the methodology can be applied directly through practical work with groups.
Readers who wish to explore the theoretical and methodological background in more depth can find additional information in the section Further Reading at the end of the handbook.
Download the toolkit and explore how young people can understand community challenges and develop sustainable solutions through social permaculture and design thinking.
Use the tools, adapt them to your context, and share your experiences.
We look forward to hearing about the initiatives you’ve started in your community.