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Participatory design
E[co]work applies a participatory design approach to create an E[co]work Space. Through the engagement with the e-waste dismantling community in Delhi we gain deep insights into their needs, struggles and aspirations. Only through this, we can arrive at a business model and solution that is effective.
For setting up the first pilot E[co]work Space, we apply a participatory and inclusive process, that builds on engaging with micro-entrepreneurs in the e-waste recycling business in the early stages of the project implementation to ensure a robust assessment of the demand for such a space in the market, adapt the concept to local needs and develop a network of potential clients for the E[co]work Space. It is key to respect the micro-entrepreneurs and their community as equal stakeholders in order to bring favourable changes and introduce new tools in a sector that has been running informally for decades. A participatory approach allows us to understand the complexity of the e-waste sector and particularly the hurdles faced by these micro-entrepreneurs. This also helps recognise the strong intangible bonds, connections, aspirations and motivations that eventually are able to inform a more inclusive design for a sustainable solution.
Intensive on-ground research
We believe in slowly building trustworthy relationships with the e-waste dismantlers, for it is only with their guidance that our collective vision materializes.
We are engaging with e-waste dismantlers in north east Delhi with an eclectic team that consists of Community Representatives that are firmly rooted within their context, e-waste experts, architects and designers. The first step is to understand their socio-economic networks and hierarchies. This is followed by informal conversations to understand their aspirations and needs.
Design workshops
We organize design workshops, to bring all the stakeholders in the E[co]work process together. This enables fervent debate and discussion, which lead to new insights about how we at E[co]work want to design and operate our spaces. For the e-waste dismantlers, these workshops act as a democratic platform to collectively voice themselves.
