The Ten Commandments of Engaging Vulnerable Citizens in Collaborative Innovation: A Systematic Review

Collaborative innovation offers significant potential for reducing inequalities in policy design by integrating diverse forms of knowledge and resources. Yet, vulnerable citizens, who often have the most to gain, are frequently excluded from such processes. Existing research on engaging these groups has largely focused on individual case studies, offering limited actionable guidance. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of current practices in collaborating with vulnerable citizens. It develops 10 practice-informed guidelines for researchers and practitioners to enhance the participation of vulnerable citizens. These guidelines aim to help collaborative innovation realize its potential by generating creative, relevant, and equitable solutions to pressing societal challenges that genuinely serve those most in need.