This one-day in-person training workshop focuses on why, who, and how to engage in the context of co-creation and multi-stakeholder engagement around research and innovation. Participants will work through the practical steps of identifying relevant communities and stakeholders, building trust, and choosing formats that fit the goals and constraints of their engagement process. The workshop combines theory and insights with hands-on exercises (mapping, case studies and peer exchange) so participants leave with a clearer engagement strategy they can apply directly in their work.

Training details

• Date: February 10, 2026
• Time: 10.00 – 17.00 CET
• Location: Gemeenschapscentrum De Markten – Brussels

Who is it for?

Researchers, project managers, research support staff, communicators and engagement practitioners who design or run participatory activities (e.g., co-creation workshops, focus groups, consultations, living labs) and need a stronger, more structured approach to stakeholder identification, recruitment and engagement design.

Course objectives

After attending this training, participants will be able to:

• Clarify why engagement is needed in a specific project (purpose, influence, decision points)
• Identify who to engage using stakeholder mapping and profiling techniques (including hard-to-reach groups)
• Analyse relationships, expectations, power dynamics and potential sensitivities between actors
• Select how to engage by matching formats and methods to objectives, context and participant needs
• Design an engagement approach that supports inclusion and meaningful participation (not symbolic involvement)
• Plan practical steps: recruitment channels, messaging, accessibility, timing, facilitation roles and follow-up
• Anticipate common challenges (conflicting expectations, low trust, participation fatigue) and choose mitigation tactics

Insight from a broad range of experiences

The workshop is led by Stickydot’s Marzia Mazzonetto and Alexandre Torres drawing on a wealth of expertise in designing and implementing co-creation and multi stakeholder engagement processes across Europe. It is delivered in English and draws on real-world co-creation practice across research and innovation contexts, with practical examples and exercises designed to be immediately transferable to participants’ work. The sessions are dynamic and interactive, ensuring plenty of time for discussion and sharing of experiences.