Design Research

How can we use design to help the youth in Tøyen in building supportive networks that guide them in accessing opportunities and resources?

Youth Station: Bridging the Gap & Enhancing Resources Accessibility for the Youth of Tøyen

Project scope: Design Reseach | 10 weeks

Project Overview:

65% of children in Tøyen grow up in low-income households, which is the highest in the district of Oslo (according to NHH Bulletin, NHH Norges handelshøyskole). This results in significant challenges that affect health outcomes, participation in society, and access to opportunities, ultimately leading to exclusion and inequality.

As a part of SDG aimed at reducing inequalities, Bydel Gamle Oslo collaborates with organisations, projects and programs to uplift and empower the young people in the Tøyen neighbourhood, which will eventually affect the development of Tøyen neighbourhood.

However, the primary challenge(in exisitng youth support programs) has been connecting and engaging youth in programs positioning their relevance in the lives of young people living in the Tøyen neighbourhood.

For this project, I partnered with Deichman Tøyen to understand and serve Tøyen youth, as:

Deichman Tøyen's agenda aligned with Oslo's sustainability goals and Bydel Gamle Oslo's efforts to reduce exclusion among young people.
Shared motivation: Support Tøyen's youth through educational opportunities to enhance job prospects and living conditions.
Leverage Deichman's role as a valued 'third space' for young people

The partnership aimed to utilize Deichman Tøyen's resources and network to create impactful interventions for young people in the area.

Research Objective

1. The challenges youth in the Tøyen neighborhood face, particularly those from low-income households.

2. The barriers that prevent youth in Tøyen from accessing and engaging with existing programs and services.

3. The needs and values of young people in the community.

4. Potential interventions to help young people build supportive networks for personal and skill development.

Research Summary

This study employed a two-phase qualitative research approach to explore the challenges faced by youth from low-income households in Tøyen.
The first phase involved secondary research and a literature review, which highlighted the importance of supportive networks in helping youth navigate educational transitions and social mobility challenges. It also identified a gap in understanding the low engagement levels in existing youth programs.
The second phase focused on primary research methods, including in-depth interviews with Deichman Tøyen library experts, observations during various library activities, discussions with experts from organizations working with youth, and a focus group survey of adults reflecting on their youth experiences. The findings revealed that many young people balance part-time jobs, limiting their time for personal growth.
Additionally, it was noted that Deichman Tøyen does not offer tailored services for the 16-19 age group, underscoring the need for more flexible and personalized youth programs.

A detailed explanation of the qualitative research methods applied in the project is explained below:

Insight Summary

This study examines the challenges faced by Tøyen's youth, specifically targeting the 16-19 age group.
This demographic was identified as particularly vulnerable within the education system, requiring support in navigating major life changes, selecting Videregående programs aligned with their career interests, and addressing other unique challenges. Additionally, socio-economic circumstances further hinder their access to opportunities and resources.
Key insights reveal that peer influence significantly impacts their motivation and engagement in group dynamics, while they show a preference for low-threshold activities that provide accessible and inclusive spaces for participation.

Analysis

The youth of Tøyen struggle to benefit from existing support programs due to a lack of integration among services, failure to address unique individual needs, and absence of guidance to navigate available resources.
To address these challenges, a "bridge" concept is proposed to connect youth with relevant services. The bridge would consist of a support system of people and services, an integrated service ecosystem for streamlined operations, and a consistent experience for youth to navigate their journey.
This concept presents a design opportunity to enhance resource accessibility and support for Tøyen's youth, ensuring they can effectively access and utilize available services.

Using the research, I developed a design brief for my diploma project in Service Design. (Please click here to read more)

How might we use design to provide youth access to pivotal resources that empowers youth to have equal opportunities?

Design Brief

The research also helped me identify Problem Areas to strategically develop a Plan of Action to address the identified problem areas in my Service Design diploma project.