EduInclusion – Innovation for Every Child
Overview
SmartUp designed and led EduInclusion – Innovation for Every Child, a co-creation research project exploring how to improve communication in education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Applying its participatory design thinking methodology — used across SmartUp's national education programmes — SmartUp brought together students with SEN, educators, parents, and experts to identify communication barriers and prototype practical, user-centered solutions.
SmartUp engaged more than 600 educators, parents, students, and other stakeholders through research and interviews, then ran co-creation workshops with 87 participants to test, validate, and refine prototype concepts. The project produced a set of design guidelines and recommendations for accessible, adaptable communication tools — laying the groundwork for future SEN-focused resources in North Macedonia's schools.
The challenge
Children with SEN have diverse communication needs, requiring flexible solutions that can address both individual and group-specific challenges.
Meaningful participation of children with SEN, educators, and parents in the co-creation process required adaptive methods and inclusive approaches.
Developing practical, user-friendly communication tools that could function across different educational settings required continuous testing, validation, and stakeholder feedback.
Activities and methods
1. Conducted extensive research, including literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, questionnaires, and analysis of existing tools, to identify communication challenges and opportunities for innovation.
2. Engaged more than 600 educators, parents, students, and other stakeholders in the research and co-creation process, ensuring that project outcomes reflected real needs and experiences.
3. Organized co-creation workshops with 87 participants to test ideas, validate concepts, and refine prototype solutions.
4. Developed guidelines for designing communication tools that prioritize accessibility, adaptability, and user-centered design.
5. Generated recommendations for future development of digital and non-digital communication resources that support inclusion, participation, and social interaction for children with SEN.
Impact and learning
EduInclusion placed children with Special Educational Needs, their families, and educators at the centre of the innovation process, ensuring that future solutions reflect their lived experiences and everyday challenges. Through research, co-creation, and prototype development, the project generated valuable insights into how schools can better support communication and participation for children with diverse needs.
The project also strengthened collaboration among educators, parents, experts, and students, demonstrating the value of participatory design in creating more inclusive educational solutions. By establishing a strong evidence base and practical design principles, EduInclusion laid the foundation for future tools and resources that can improve communication, inclusion, and learning outcomes for children with SEN.
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