search

case: Bar camp Kiel

Bar camp

Timeframe: Short term

Degree of participation: High

Type of participants:
Local associations and NGO’s
Citizens
Local / National Authorities (municipalities, ministries, local councils)
Companies
Cultural actors

Specific target of the method: To generate new ideas and perspectives from different citizens and stakeholders.

 

WHAT IS IT?

 A BarCamp is a self-organized conference free of formal processes that focusses on participants instead of invited speakers. The discussion sessions and their content as well as the procedures are organically arranged and conducted by the participants present. Except for the workshop location, necessary infrastructure and theme of the BarCamp, nothing else is pre-defined. ​ 

 

HOW TO?

In the BarCamp, the organizer merely specifies the topic area. The partial aspects are contributed by the participants, the so-called session givers. There are no ready-made questions or topic tables. Everyone can choose a topic and the others decide from the abundance of offers what will be on the agenda. There are no set change times. A session lasts a certain amount of time and then it ends. There is usually no new round of discussion on the same topic with the next group. The session giver starts with an intro to the topic, his thoughts, or his questions. Those who are there at the moment participate and contribute their experiences and opinions.

The organizer plans the BarCamp around a set of topics. Often there is also a sponsor, since the BarCamps usually take place free of charge or for a small conference fee.

Everyone who participates can register a topic at the beginning. With title and perhaps a short description. Often there are bulletin boards and prefabricated cards available for this purpose. And then there is a small pitch. So a short introduction of the session giver and why he/she burns for the topic. Afterwards, the participants vote on which topics will be discussed. Before that, it is decided how many sessions will run in parallel. And then it starts. No concrete result is expected. The session hosts are happy to document the discussions and make them available later. In the plenary, usually only the highlights are briefly touched upon.

 The method follows six steps: 

  • Preparation: Organizers settle for a (virtual) venue, promote the BarCamp and prepare a blank schedule with (virtual) room information on (virtual) whiteboard.
  • Welcome: Organizers introduce themselves and the rules of the BarCamp. Participants introduce themselves in three words.
  • Session planning: Each day of a BarCamp starts with the coordination of the input and discussion sessions of the day, using a central (virtual) whiteboard: Any participant who wants to hold a session, writes down the topic and his/her name in a presentation slot on the board until all slots are filled. There might be queuing – a facilitator may help.
  • Session pitching: The session hosts explain their topic in short time.
  • Session running: Session hosts get ready and participants chose sessions freely.
  • Plenum session: All participants get together, are presented with impressions of the day (verbal, photos, tweets etc.) and share feedback.

LEARN MORE