The concept of relational wellbeing challenges individualistic views of wellbeing by emphasising its social, collective and structural dimensions in shaping a meaningful life. This perspective highlights the role of interconnected relationships in shaping individuals. Wellbeing is seen to be the result of interplay between people, processes and structures. The political potential of this ontological shift lies in opening more radical approaches for a shared existence, where prioritising relational wellbeing encourages the pursuit of collective wellbeing rather than individualism and self-interest.

This project is based on the starting point that realising relational wellbeing requires a move away from dominant economic systems defined by self-interest, competition, environmental destruction and exploitation. It proposes an exploration of the intersection between relational wellbeing and the lived reality of youth in the Global South, focusing on “real utopias” or “real world examples of functioning social alternatives [that] can help us find ways to improve the human condition” (Wright, 2011: 36).

Data will be collected through 60 qualitative in-depth interviews, where young participants at each case-study site will be interviewed about their life histories. The interviewees will draw on various mapping tools. The semi-structured interviews will explore relationships at community, neighbourhood and city level to better understand knowledge and resource flows, and identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration and sharing.

Counter-mapping exercises will produce bottom-up maps related to the case study sites, providing insights into the youth participants’ actual practices and relationships in urban spaces, which will be analysed and compared with formal plans and maps produced by government authorities. Photovoice and video will be used to document progress across all six case sites.

1. To develop a conceptual framework to explain how urban community-driven efforts to create shared spaces as “real utopias” (“commoning”) can advance the material, subjective and relational wellbeing of young people in cities in the Global South
2. To compare and contrast three cities or countries in the Global South to develop place-based models and visuals that explain how such collaborative resource-sharing can influence relational wellbeing among youth
3. To research how alternative economic practices for relational wellbeing may produce alternative youth livelihoods, with an impact on technology, mental health and climate change

The project aims to advance conceptual, methodological and empirical knowledge of relational wellbeing by exploring alternative kinds of economic practices to those underpinning the dominant capitalist system. The conceptual part of the project aims to develop the current understanding of relational wellbeing among youth in the Global South by drawing on theories of urban commoning and real utopias.

Methodologically, the study will use participatory, creative, youth-centred research methods to achieve these epistemological ambitions, such as the Photovoice component of the project and the resultant exhibitions. A co-production approach to research design and implementation will be pursued. Empirically, the case studies will improve the understanding of existing examples of urban commoning as “real utopias” and their impact on relational wellbeing among youth in urban contexts in the Global South.

Monitoring will involve regular check-ins with project participants via meetings, focus groups and workshops. The project will also implement stakeholder feedback loops, establishing a continuous mechanism for all stakeholders – youth, universities and non-governmental organisations – to reflect on the project’s progress. Findings will be shared and results analysed collaboratively at biannual workshops. The evaluation process will employ an outcome and impact evaluation approach to assess both the short- and long-term outcomes.

Specific outcomes will be defined with partners in the initiation phase. To measure the outcomes of proposed objectives and activities, baseline and endline surveys will be conducted. The evaluation will include pre- and post-intervention focus groups with youth participants to assess not only the activities, but shifts in their understanding of relational wellbeing.