Inclusive society
Eindhoven Engine tackles the so-called ‘wicked problems’. These are complex societal issues that we address, understand, and solve together with researchers, professionals from the industry and institutions, and the people who experience these problems.
Lack of basic skills
In the Netherlands, 2.5 million people struggle with reading, writing, arithmetic and/or digital skills. These people are confronted with immense challenges on a daily basis, which seriously hinders their participation in society. Eindhoven Engine emphasizes the urgency of this problem and the need for action.
Every human has the right to be included and self-sufficient in this increasingly complex society. However, not everybody has the opportunity to develop appropriate basic skills. We want to tackle this wicked problem to bridge the gap between society and people. To this end, we develop individualized approaches to strengthen people’s basic skills.
Contact
General contact
Please contact Lotte Geertsen, Program manager Inclusive society.
Contact assignments
Please contact Merel Notten, Project & team coordinator Inclusive society.
How we work
Together we want to build an inclusive society where each human is empowered to make decisions about their own life. Our mission is, to explore and develop interventions that create societal impact. We work as a navigator in the wicked problem of lack of basic skills.
We raise awareness about this wicked problem and accelerate action. By working closely with those who are living the problem, we adopt an equity-centered approach. We are convinced that co-creation leads to better understanding of the problem.
When I moved out on my own, I got a rental contract. I didn’t fully understand it, but I assumed everything was in order and signed it. I often misread and misunderstand letters because they contain complex words and a lot of information and instructions.”
Immediate action
You can take immediate action right now. Here are the tips:
- Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes – Provide only information that the recipient wants and needs to know.
- Do not use jargon – Do you have to use a difficult term? Then explain it.
- Use active sentences – Avoid words such as “will” and “will”. Make it clear who is doing what.
- Repeat key information – A lot of information doesn’t stick or sticks wrong. Use the power of repetition. Use the ‘ask back method’ to check that the information has come across correctly.
- Use images to clarify your information – Simple and recognizable images support your message.
- Choose your means carefully – What is the best means for your information, for example, sometimes a video works better than a text.
Ecosystem map
The team has created an ecosystem of organizations working on basic skills in Eindhoven.
Click on the map to see the number of organizations involved and explore their connections.
Our team and achievements to date
We work with a diverse team, along with target groups and experts, because of this we are able to make validated decisions. We carry out long and short-term projects to promote continuity with fresh perspectives.
This all, enhances innovation and intelligent problem-solving in the Bridge Builders team.
Our dynamic way-of-working have led us already to 10+ assignments/projects.
Assignments/projects:
Workshop: Aahh, ik snap het niet!!
Through an immersive experience, participants feel what reduced language skills mean. And how the complexity of the current help landscape actually widens the gap within society. It positively encourages participants to take action through critical reflection.
Project owner: Inge
DDW 2024 participant
Met Mij: Mijke
Met Mij aims to smartly connect people and services, with the first step being to identify individuals’ unique needs through the problem-tracking tool, Mijke. Using AI, it enhances accessibility to social services in Eindhoven, improving user engagement through innovative design.
Project owners: Jéssica and Valentìn
Basic skills booth
Through an immersive experience, participants feel what reduced language skills mean. And how the complexity of the current help landscape actually widens the gap within society. It positively encourages participants to take action through critical reflection.
Project owner: Inge
DDW 2024 participant
Met Mij: Smarter connection and dynamic service design
Met Mij collects data from the Eindhoven region to create a dynamic service platform with smarter connections. By integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), it automates data processing, enhancing user guidance and stakeholder collaboration. This dynamic system design ensures seamless data transfer, fostering collaboration and personalized experiences for all users and stakeholders.
Project owner: Sichen
Shame around low literacy
There is a stigma surrounding low literacy. I would like to break a taboo with a product or service to show that no one should be ashamed that a person is low literate.
Project owner: Sera
Neighborhood approach
Zooming in on specific city districts and neighborhoods in and around Eindhoven. Each team will set up an action plan on how to get the local support system in contact with the people who lack basic skills.
Collaboration: Fontys – Creative Economy
Understanding uneasiness
Developing a more nuanced, situated understanding of the feelings of uneasiness and stigma associated with lacking basic skills. The project’s final outcome will include actionable insights that provide empathy-driven recommendations for future interventions.
Collaboration: TU/e Industrial Design – Research
Healthcare innovations for people with lack of basic skills
Exploring existing healthcare technologies that are beneficial for individuals lacking basic skills can significantly improve accessibility and understanding of healthcare. These tools can help enhance their healthcare skills, overcome feelings of shame and insecurity, and promote better health outcomes.
Project owner: Thaomi
Design for inclusivity
Finding ways to discreetly engage people with basic skills and connect them with targeted support. The design will create a welcoming, non-stigmatizing environment that allows individuals to access resources and opportunities in a way that protects their privacy and dignity.
Collaboration: TU/e Industrial Design – Design
Improving accessibility of GPs for people with low basic skills
Conduct research on how the general practitioners can be made more accessible through the use of innovation. This will improve the average health of this target group.
Project owner: Nina
Constructive design research
Showroom: Using speculative design to the future evolution of an inclusive society tailored to individuals who lack basic skills.
Field: Research on the intuitiveness, inclusiveness, and supportiveness of an user-centric service system to effectively provide access to social support services for people who lack basic skills.
Collaboration: TU/e Industrial Design – Research