Group Agreement

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Activist

This activity invites all participants to co-create a group agreement at the start of a shared project, experience or when living in a temporary community. It sets the tone for collaboration, respect, and inclusivity by collecting shared values and expectations. Everyone contributes equally, including coordinators, facilitators, and participants.

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Target group

A group of people any age participating in a group process (e.g. workshop week, youth exchange, political or artistic project)

No. of pax

Min. 3 – max. 40 (can be adapted to group size)

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Environment

A room or a space big enough for all the participants

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Time needed

Approximately 1 hour or more depending on group size

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Materials

• Post-its in various colours
• Pens or markers
• Large flipchart paper or wall space for group agreement
• Tape

Objective/aim

To create a safer, brave and participatory space by forming a shared agreement on how the group wants to work and live together, including expectations, needs and responsibilities.

Step by step instructions

Step 1

Briefly introduce the concept
5 minutes
“This activity helps us define how we want to work together this week. It’s about building a safer space—not perfect, but intentional.
Everyone is part of this: participants, coordinators, creative facilitators.” Lay out post-its and pens in the room.

Step 2

Ask participants 1-3 questions, such as:
• What is important for you in working together?
• What helps you feel safe, included and able to participate fully?
• What can you do to make this a safer, brave and participatory space for all?

Provide paper for participants to take notes. Initially you could also ask participants to tune in with closed eyes in a comfortable position.

Step 3

Individual reflection
5 minutes
Each person writes notes for themselves regarding the questions.

Step 4

Small group work
15 minutes
Participants form groups of four, share their ideas and write shared key points on post-its.

Step 5

Plenary presentation
20-30 minutes but depending on group size
Each group presents their ideas but only new contributions (3 minutes per group).
If something has already been said, they add their post-its to the similar topic but don’t repeat it verbally.
After each group presentation, ask:
• “Is everyone okay with what has been added?”
• “Anything you would like to clarify or build on?”
This ensures collective affirmation and adjustment before moving on.

Step 6

Final confirmation and summary
10 minutes
Display the agreement visibly. Stick the post-its on a poster or wall after all groups have presented, let participants know:
“This is how we have decided to work together this week. These agreements reflect what we need to feel safe, included, and strong as a group. This is our common ground.”

Ask for a volunteer (or assign someone in advance) to read out and briefly summarise the key points of the agreement, using the collected post-its.

Then ask:
• “Is everyone okay with this agreement as it stands now?”
• “Is there anything you feel is missing or unclear?”

Give space for final additions or comments before closing the session.

Step 7

Thank everyone for their contributions and say as a final remark:
• The agreement is not fixed – we can change things and add to it.
• If something feels missing or violated, you can raise it at a group check-in or with facilitators.
• We will return to this regularly to remind ourselves of what we agreed on.
• Let participants know where the agreement will be put up and have it at a place that is visible during the whole group process for everyone to read.

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Tips for the trainer

• Emphasise that “safe” spaces are never guaranteed, but we can all work together toward safer and braver ones.
• Encourage participants to revisit the agreement if issues arise or parts of the agreement need to change.
• If time is tight, you can cluster similar ideas and summarise with the group’s consent.

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Alternative

For smaller groups, facilitate one joint discussion instead of breakout groups. For online or hybrid formats, use digital whiteboards like Jamboard, Miro or Padlet.

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Comment

Including a short confirmation moment after each presentation helped participants feel heard and more responsible for the collective agreement. A crucial part of this exercise is to keep the group agreement alive, have it visible throughout the group process and use it as a tool when issues arise. If there has been a longer break and a follow-up workshop is planned, begin by revisiting the agreement—remind everyone of what was decided and, if needed, update or adapt it together.

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Source

Co-developed within the My Elections – My EU! project based on participatory group facilitation and safer space practices by Maria Hammer and Maruša Vertacnik.