More than technology or physical structures, the real power of an idea lies in the strength of the relationships that support it. Innovation grows in places — whether face-to-face or online — where people feel listened to, included, and motivated to create together. These places might be schools, museums, community groups, public squares, or digital networks. If you’re someone who is actively involved in your community, you’ll know that these practices and spaces for coming together are a common part of everyday life.
Innovation labs, interactive spaces, or online platforms can become hubs for active listening, co-creation, and open conversation. To give these spaces more structure and long-term impact, they can be formally set up as an Innovation Department—with a clear structure, team, budget, goals, and a coordinator responsible for guiding and energizing the process.
This department should be a safe, inclusive, and transparent environment, also welcoming people from outside the institution. Its role is to connect different initiatives and sectors, support shared ideas, and encourage a culture of innovation rooted in listening and shared leadership.
As Henry Chesbrough (2003) points out, good ideas can come from anywhere, as long as the environment is open, collaborative, and inclusive. Creating space for innovation means making sure every voice counts—this is a political choice, a creative effort, and something deeply tied to the place where it happens.
Organizing an Innovative Space in the Community
An Innovation Department helps turn an institution into a more creative, collaborative, and responsive space—one that is truly connected to the needs of the people it serves. This can apply to museums, associations, community groups, networks, or any collective initiative. It encourages participation, organizes ideas, and supports shared solutions to both internal and external challenges.
In addition to managing proposals transparently, the department leads ongoing training efforts and builds stronger ties with the community, making sure its actions reflect the institution’s social mission. In short, it proposes, supports, carries out, and evaluates innovative ideas that have real impact, grounded in local reality and people’s experiences.
How to Set It Up:
- Define the purpose: Think about the community’s main challenges. The Innovation Department should help improve processes, value ideas, listen to people, and encourage meaningful change.
- Make it official: Create the department formally, with a name, clear mission, and a designated space (physical or digital). It’s important to assign someone to coordinate, mobilize, and follow up on actions.
- Ensure support and structure: Set aside a budget, if possible, put together a support team, and make sure the department is recognized and connected with everyone.
- Use collaborative platforms: Tools like ClickUp, Miro, and Trello can help gather ideas, manage projects, and keep the process transparent.
- Invite broad participation: Open up ways for everyone to take part—including staff, community members, partners, museum visitors, and public or private institutions interested in cultural projects. This builds a culture of listening and open innovation.
- Track progress and celebrate: Keep records of what’s learned, evaluate results, and recognize everyone’s efforts. Develop and carry out a strategic plan based on these experiences.