Trial and error is holding us back.
Most network and movement leaders – and those who fund them – find themselves engaging in endless experimentation around how to foster thriving, inclusive networks that shift power and transform systems.
This is wasting precious resources and time, forcing people to focus on tools and processes rather than the relationships and collaborative action needed for sustainable change.
Fortunately, there is a wealth of knowledge out there as to “how” to do this work – it’s just locked up in the heads of activists, network coordinators, and innovative funders around the world.
Enter the Fito Design Studio, our signature model for co-creation, rooted in relationships and collective expertise.
As a complex, global network ourselves, we're constantly engaging with thousands of network leaders to learn what works—and experimenting with gaps ourselves.
Our Design Studios offer highly curated, facilitated spaces that leverage this deep practical experience to co-develop new tools, models, and infrastructure that enable networks to thrive.
Blending action, learning, and relationship-building, Design Studios are crafted to deepen connections and align goals across peers working on similar challenges but who are not necessarily connected to each other.
We carefully weave groups of diverse expertise and perspective, where people contribute as much as they gain from the process. This avoids the pitfalls of many peer-led groups, creating groups who are regularly motivated to show up and feel a strong sense of co-ownership in the final outcome.
The Model
We partner with groups to co-create new tools serving both their needs, as well as those of the broader field of networks and movements worldwide.
Tackling topics ranging from collective decision-making to participatory facilitation, our model mixes communities of practice frameworks with human-centered design principles to creatively design new, accessible toys.
By tapping into a vast, collective knowledge base, partners get the answers they're seeking, as well as a “lifeline” of valuable connections to draw from beyond the process.
1
Research
We start by collecting existing knowledge, tools, and gaps around the topic, and then outline the initial “specs” for a tool that fills those gaps.
2
Weave
We then carefully select the “right” mix of people for high-quality co-creation rooted in diverse experiences, mindsets, and expertise.
3
Co-develop
In a series of meetings, usually over several months, with that group we assess users, develop parameters, and test the tool.
4
Design
We then work with designers to create a playful, accessible, beautiful tool that many will enjoy using.
5
Disseminate
Finally, with our partners and co-creators we collectively disseminate the tool widely to audiences around the globe so it benefits 1,000’s around the world.
What We've Done...
Some of the design studios we've run, or are currently running...
Ripples of Change
With a specialized and diverse group of impact professionals we're developing an interactive guide enabling network leaders and funders to measure and assess the impact of movements and networks.
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The Weaving Game
With 20+ network consultants from across the globe we co-developed an interactive tool for changemakers to self-assess and strengthen their weaving capacities.
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A Story of Stories
With a small group of experts in storytelling and narrative change, we're developing a framework for how to tell compelling stories that clearly illustrate the complex impact of networks and movements.
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The Philanthropy Card Game
With a mixture of philanthropic staff and networks we're designing an interactive game for staff, teams and boards to assess their funding practices and learn how to amplify their social impact through networks.
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Financial Models
With a pilot group of network consultants and coordinators we're co-designing models for the financial sustainability of networks.
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Even our original charter was a mini design studio, where with 60+ collaborators we came up with new methods for membership and decision-making for other networks to replicate!
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A Platform of Platforms
Along with a small group of specialized network tech experts we co-developed a guide and filterable database of technologies supporting network organizing, weaving, and decision-making.
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With a broad mixture of consultants, facilitators, and field-builders, we collated 500+ tools for collective impact, serving every month hundreds of facilitators and consultants globally.
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Do your community, partners or grantees have a specific network need they're struggling with?
![[Original size] Fito Slide Deck.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cc253e_0cca5a5be4464bf3a7a56379f3a83c1f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_578,h_434,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/cc253e_0cca5a5be4464bf3a7a56379f3a83c1f~mv2.png)
Partner with us to do something together that nobody else can offer: leveraging the deep, rich expertise of our unique network to co-create new tools that simultaneously serve your community and the broader field.
Email us at hello@fito.network