Changefactory (CF) has for more than 15 years invited children and young people around Norway to participate in surveys, using a method called the Changemethod. Authorities, knowledge centers and organisations around Europe have noticed the method for many years. Several now want training in how to use it in their country. CF visited the Netherlands last week to learn about the method. The authorities there are now preparing to conduct more surveys next year.

The Changemethod is closely based on Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), a participatory method used in action research. PLA has been further developed together with young people in Norway, to find tools that engage many children and young people here. The Changemethod takes very seriously that children are different and that groups of children have the right to express their opinion, in ways that are felt safe for them.

Since 2009, more than 16,000 children and young people in Norway have given advice in various types of knowledge acquisition that Changefactory has carried out. Visual and creative tools and dialogues have been used. Both at the beginning and at different periods throughout these years, researchers have been closely linked to the work, especially to CF’s qualitative surveys. In recent years, researchers have also had methodological responsibility for each individual survey.