10 benefits of co-creation with communities and employees

Maximise value, trust and innovation through meaningful collaboration.

Co-creation is more than a buzzword – it’s a powerful approach to shaping inclusive, impactful strategies, services and solutions.

Working with your stakeholders, employees or communities can unlock fresh insights and long-term results. I love this way of working - it's positive, exciting, empowering and can even lead to new friendships and collaborations. In my eyes, it's a highly effective way of finding solutions and generating ideas. Plus, it goes deeper than traditional engagement methods.

This concept isn't new - it's been used in the charity and voluntary sector for ages. But since the pandemic, co-creation (or variations such as co-development, co-curation and co-production) has been finding its way into other sectors, which is great.

Here are ten reasons to embrace it:

1. Improves trust and transparency – Co-creation invites openness, encouraging honesty and mutual respect between organisations and those they serve.

2. Drives innovation – Diverse voices bring fresh thinking, often revealing solutions you may otherwise overlook.

3. Boosts relevance – Involving those directly impacted ensures outputs reflect real-world needs and experiences.

4. Increases engagement – People are more likely to engage with initiatives they’ve helped shape.

5. Strengthens relationships – Co-creation fosters shared ownership, improving internal and external relationships.

6. Encourages inclusion – When done well, it helps to uplift marginalised voices and embeds equity in planning and delivery.

7. Reduces risk – Early input from users and employees can flag potential issues before they escalate.

8. Builds skills and confidence – Participants have the opportunity to develop skills, confidence and leadership.

9. Enhances reputation – A genuine co-creation approach demonstrates social responsibility and responsiveness.

10. Supports long-term impact – Solutions built with users are more sustainable and better adopted over time.

Co-creation takes time and intention, and typically requires more financial investment. so plan it into high level strategies and budgets. The benefits are tangible and lasting.

In an rapidly-changing world with urgent challenges, which we're struggling to solve, meaningful collaboration isn’t optional – it’s essential.

Want to explore co-creation with communities and employees? Get in touch: hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com.