How did COVID-19 Shape Co-creation to Antifragility

by Oliviero Casale

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a defining global crisis, challenging existing systems and forcing rapid adaptation across sectors. One of the most significant responses has been the emergence and evolution of co-creation initiatives—collaborative efforts that unite industry, research, government, and civil society to innovate and solve problems. Looking back, it is clear that these initiatives not only addressed immediate challenges but also contributed to creating antifragile systems—those that thrive and grow stronger in the face of adversity.

The Power of Co-creation during the Pandemic

Co-creation, the joint production of innovation, was pivotal in the global response to COVID-19. This process was leveraged across numerous sectors to develop vaccines, produce medical equipment, and create digital tools to manage the pandemic. The OECD's analysis of 30 international co-creation initiatives reveals how these collaborative efforts were instrumental in addressing the crisis and shaping future resilience.

Key Characteristics of COVID-19 Co-creation Initiatives

1. Speed and Agility: The urgency of the pandemic required rapid mobilization of resources and partners. Existing networks and infrastructures were quickly repurposed to meet new demands. For instance, Canada's Innovation Clusters and Japan's MEXT/RIKEN program utilized pre-established networks to fast-track research and development.
2. Digital Transformation: Digital tools and platforms were essential. Initiatives like the EUvsVirus hackathon and Estonia's MASC digital platform demonstrated how technology could facilitate remote collaboration and quick problem-solving.
3. Broad Engagement: Co-creation initiatives engaged a diverse range of participants, from large corporations to startups, and included significant input from civil society. This broad base of contributors ensured a wide array of perspectives and solutions. The COVID Moonshot project, for instance, used social media to crowdsource molecule submissions for potential antiviral drugs.
4. Government Involvement: Governments played crucial roles as funders, network builders, and co-creators. They provided not only financial support but also legitimacy and facilitation. Examples include the UK's Ventilator Challenge Programme and the COVID-19 Türkiye Platform, which leveraged government resources to coordinate large-scale production efforts.
5. Multidisciplinary Teams: Successful initiatives often combined expertise from various fields, fostering innovation through diverse perspectives. This was evident in projects like the Protective Mask Consortium in the Czech Republic, which brought together experts in healthcare, 3D printing, and manufacturing.

Antifragility through Co-creation

Antifragility goes beyond resilience; it describes systems that improve under stress. The pandemic-induced co-creation efforts contributed to antifragility in several ways:

1. Adaptive Learning: Successful initiatives often combined expertise from various fields, fostering innovation through diverse perspectives. This was evident in projects like the Protective Mask Consortium in the Czech Republic, which brought together experts in healthcare, 3D printing, and manufacturing.
2. Enhanced Networks and Infrastructure: The networks and infrastructures strengthened during the pandemic now form a robust foundation for future innovation. The quick adaptation seen in Canada's Innovation Clusters and the HPC Consortium in the USA exemplifies how pre-existing structures can be leveraged and improved to tackle new and unforeseen challenges.
3. Involvement of Civil Society: The active participation of civil society demonstrated the value of public engagement in co-creation initiatives. Projects like Tech4COVID19 in Portugal showed how volunteerism and community involvement could lead to innovative and rapidly implementable solutions.

Definition of Antifragility according to UNI/PdR 155:2023

According to the UNI/PdR 155:2023 guidelines, antifragility is defined as:

"The property of systems to increase their ability to thrive following stress factors, shocks, volatility, disorder, errors, failures, attacks, or setbacks."

This definition implies that an antifragile system not only withstands shocks but uses them as opportunities to improve and strengthen. Antifragile systems embrace unpredictability and uncertainty, positively assuming risk and seeing disorder as a possibility for evolution and growth.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of co-creation as a tool for building stronger and more resilient systems. These initiatives not only addressed the immediate needs of the crisis but also laid the groundwork for a more antifragile future, capable of adapting and thriving in the face of adversity.