Posted on 24 September 2014 · Updated 17 May 2015

Wrapping up the accounts for Leeds GovJam 2014 highlighted just how much the event relied on its volunteers and sponsors — and what fantastic value participants got for their ticket price.

At full commercial rates, including venue hire and team costs, we estimate that a two-day event of this scale for 40 people would have cost at least £15,000. Instead, the actual cost was brought in at less than £700.

What made the difference

  • ODI-Leeds provided the venue at their Duke Street node, removing one of the biggest line items from the budget.
  • Seven volunteer team members gave their time for free, handling facilitation, logistics, and participant support across both days.
  • University of Leeds School of Design contributed resources and backing that helped keep costs down.
  • That Old Chestnut supplied cakes, keeping everyone fuelled without stretching the budget.

The Leeds GovJam has always thrived on the energy and generosity of its community. From the very first jams, volunteers brought a remarkable range of skills, from design thinking and service innovation to hands-on facilitation and creative problem-solving. This spirit of shared purpose meant that even with a modest budget, the event could attract passionate people from across the public sector, eager to learn, share, and tackle real challenges together. The model proved that when people come together with a collaborative mindset, extraordinary things can happen without the need for lavish spending. It is this ethos of doing more with less, powered by genuine enthusiasm and collective expertise, that continues to define the GovJam experience in Leeds.

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Why it mattered

Leeds GovJam was part of the Global GovJam — 48 hours to rock the public sector. The 2014 edition, held on 3–4 June at ODI Leeds, brought together public sector workers, designers, and community members to learn, share, and build new ideas using service design methods.

Without the generosity of sponsors and the dedication of volunteers, an event of this ambition simply wouldn't have been accessible. The low ticket price meant more people could take part, regardless of their organisation's training budget.

Who made it happen

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Venue

ODI-Leeds

Hosted the jam at their Duke Street node, a short walk from Leeds bus and rail stations.

A group of people standing around a wall covered in hand-drawn diagrams and sticky notes, reviewing their work together
Team

Seven Volunteers

Gave their time for free to organise, facilitate, and support participants throughout the two days.

Overhead shot of a workshop table with sketchpads, markers, and coffee cups, lit by soft daylight from a nearby window
Partner

School of Design

The University of Leeds School of Design provided resources and backing for the event.

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Catering

That Old Chestnut

Supplied cakes to keep the jammers going through two intensive days of design work.

The numbers at a glance

Estimated commercial cost: £15,000+
Actual cost: under £700
Participants: up to 40 people over two days
Volunteer team: 7 people
Date: 3–4 June 2014

Learn more

Read about the organisations and people who supported Leeds GovJam, and the volunteer team who made it all possible.

Our Sponsors The Team