The idea is that when you are outside, under the open skies, you think more creatively than when you are sitting in a conference room.

There are several variants of this method. The aim is to release creativity and acquire lots of ideas from the participants in the group. This method can be used for an invited, selected group of about 10-30 participants. What walks have in common is that you walk around in a group and stop at certain points that were selected beforehand, either by the leaders of the walk or by the participants. You stop at those points, either to discuss right there and then, or to take down notes for a discussion afterwards.

A way of using this method is that politicians/officials meet citizens “on the street”, walk along and meanwhile ask questions on the basis of an issue/subject, from a fixed form/questionnaire or suchlike. The answers are taken down as you go along. Politicians and officials compile the results and then present an analysis seminar. The material is used in the continued work on the issue/subject. The results are fed back and presented to the general public in an announcement or in another way as declared to the interviewees. It is important to decide the issue beforehand, with programme, agenda and place. The feedback should also be arranged before you meet the citizens. This method is not a detailed analysis of an issue; it should rather be regarded as a consultation method. Time is required for preparations, performance and the follow-up work with seminars for an analysis of the results. (SALAR)

Chat is a method where participants communicate via short text messages in real time.

A chat could be open for a limited time, e.g. 7.00–8.00 pm, to allow citizens to put questions to the responsible people in a certain issue. It could be regarded as a modern form for call-in. A chat should be quick and it may be a good idea to have several people at hand to answer and to let young collaborators who are familiar with the form help out. In a very short time many people have the opportunity to put their very own question to the responsible people. Everyone can see all the questions and answers, and you can follow the chat without asking. Questions and answers can be saved for continued use, publishing, etc. The disadvantage is that everyone does not venture taking part since the tempo is very high. Besides preparations, marketing and realisation the efforts are relatively small. Access to a chat program is required, as is certain marketing, and a group that is at hand to answer questions during the time the ‘chat’ is open. SALAR has produced a web-based tool for chats that is free to use. (SALAR)

The Café Method is a dialogue method that encourages people to take part in discussions on current topics in informal and comfortable surroundings.

The room is furnished as invitingly as possible, e.g. as a café where you are seated around small tables. The process is led by the moderator of the meeting. The meeting should start with a short account of the facts of the matter. Information materials should also be at hand for the participants. Small dialogue groups around the tables examine a theme or given problems, that should be open and challenging. The participants switch tables/groups at certain times during the meeting. In essence, the process is carried out in three stages: analysis, in-depth analysis, proposal preparation. The work at the tables is documented. Ideas and views are passed on to the other participants during or at the end of the meeting. There are plain rules/principles to aid involvement and creativity among the participants. The leader of the process should have a short education in the method. The furnishing of the room is important. Questions and topics must be relevant and clear. Costs may vary – if the premises are an actual café with just about ten participants the cost may be very modest. For large events with hundreds of participants in a special location, the costs could quickly increase. Since the method does not require a large number of process leaders, it could be an inexpensive way of holding creative meetings.