About the Co-Creation Toolkit
This toolkit provides the resources and guidance you need to create user-friendly environmental data services. Explore case studies, access UX templates, and learn how co-design can help you collaborate with users and build effective solutions.

What is Co-Creation?
Co-Creation is an approach where stakeholders involved in using a product or service collaborate to create or define it. This ensures the final result is tailored to their needs and easy to use.
Shared Ownership
Everyone involved in the project, including users, stakeholders, and designers, shares responsibility for the design process and its outcomes.
Active Participation
Users and stakeholders actively contribute their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives throughout the entire design process.
Open Communication
Open and honest communication is essential, fostering a safe space for sharing ideas, feedback, and concerns.
Iterative Process
Co-design is not a linear process; it involves continuous cycles of prototyping, testing, and refining solutions based on user feedback.
Why did we create this toolkit?
Co-Design Principles
These principles were inspired by the UK government's design principles and the co-design principles from Defra.
Involve users early and continuously
Engage stakeholders from the beginning to ensure solutions address real needs.
Prioritise user feedback
Actively seek and value input based on lived experiences and diverse perspectives.
Build partnerships
Foster collaboration and trust between stakeholders throughout the design process.
Iterate and improve
Continuously test and refine solutions based on user feedback and real-world impact.
Focus on outcomes
Clearly define desired results and measure success based on user satisfaction and environmental impact.
Balance expectations
Co-design may not solve every problem, but it fosters understanding and avoids pitfalls.
Embrace diversity
Include a wide range of voices and perspectives to ensure solutions work for all.
Move faster, build better
Co-design accelerates development and leads to more effective solutions.
Learn from failures
Embrace a culture of experimentation and learn from mistakes to improve future efforts.
Celebrate successes
Recognise and share achievements to motivate continued collaboration and innovation.

Contribute to the Co-Creation Toolkit
This toolkit is a collaborative effort, and we welcome your contributions! Help us make environmental data tools and services better for everyone.
Share Case Studies
Share co-design applications in environmental data projects. Inspire others with your real-world examples.
Add Toolkit Resources
Contribute templates, guides, or documents to help others use co-design and UX best practices.
Suggest Improvements / Provide Feedback
Be part of the EDS Co-Creation Toolkit community! Discuss, ask questions, and suggest topics on our GitHub Discussions page.
Report Bugs
Found an issue? Let us know!
Co-Creation Toolkit
How to Get Involved
There are several ways to contribute your expertise and experience:
Email Us
Have questions, feedback, or ideas you'd like to share directly? Reach out to our team at ux@bgs.ac.uk.
Contact UsJoin the Discussion on GitHub
Connect with other creators, ask questions, suggest new topics, and participate in ongoing conversations on our GitHub Discussions page.
GitHub DiscussionsContribute Directly
Share your knowledge by adding new case studies or toolkit resources, or by improving existing ones.
Edit Co-Creation ToolkitFrequently
Asked Questions
This toolkit is designed for anyone involved in creating environmental data services and products, including researchers, developers, designers, and project managers.