Barcamp / Unconference
A participant-driven event format (also called an unconference) where the agenda is created collaboratively at the start by participants themselves. Anyone can propose a session; sessions are scheduled into a grid of times and locations. Participants vote with their feet, moving freely between sessions. It produces high-quality, self-organised learning events with minimal top-down structure.
How to run it
- 1
Open the event with all participants gathered together.
- 2
Explain the format: no pre-set agenda, no fixed speakers. Anyone can propose a session on any topic.
- 3
Invite participants to propose sessions by writing a title and brief description on a card and presenting it in 30 seconds.
- 4
Facilitator or participants schedule sessions into a visible grid (times × locations).
- 5
Sessions begin. Participants move freely between sessions (Law of Two Feet: if you're not learning or contributing, move on).
- 6
No slides required, no formal presenter — conversations are preferred.
- 7
Close with a brief harvest: what were the key themes and insights that emerged?
Tips
The Law of Two Feet is the heart of the unconference — make it explicit and permission-giving.
A good marketplace (session pitching phase) takes 20–30 minutes for large groups.
Trust that the format works even if it feels chaotic at the start.',
Variations
Run a half-day internal unconference for a team. Combine with Open Space Technology for large, complex challenges. Use Lean Coffee format for smaller groups.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Barcamp / Unconference?â–¾
Use Barcamp / Unconference when you want to: Professional conferences; Internal team knowledge sharing days; Community events; Hackathons.
How long does Barcamp / Unconference take?â–¾
Barcamp / Unconference typically takes 240–480 minutes.
How many participants does Barcamp / Unconference work for?â–¾
Barcamp / Unconference works best for groups of 15–500 participants.
What materials do I need for Barcamp / Unconference?â–¾
To run Barcamp / Unconference you will need: session grid board, sticky notes, markers, rooms or zones.
How difficult is Barcamp / Unconference to facilitate?â–¾
Barcamp / Unconference is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
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