Co-creation is an innovative and participatory process which aims to create shared ownership of a project between institutions and community partners. Co-creation enables professionals to co-operate with and learn from others, to build a connection between groups that would not normally meet, to raise awareness and sensitivity towards important issues and to build relationships between groups and individuals that will last well beyond the scope of a project. In BigPicnic, this approach is being employed to develop engagement tools, in the form of travelling exhibitions and science cafes, that are perfectly suited to their purpose, can engage with new and hard-to-reach audiences, raise awareness of the issues that really matter to the European populations and generate public debate around them. The foundation of the co-creative method is that everyone brings their own unique expertise based upon their personal experience and interests. This expertise adds a new social or cultural perspective to the topic being discussed and helps to enhance understanding between the different worlds we inhabit. Co-creation is driven by exchange of diverse ideas and values. For this reason, co-creation places a strong emphasis on creating conditions of equality among participants, ensuring a level playing field where every degree and form of expertise is equally valued. Within the vast subject of food security, Botanic Garden Meise have chosen to focus on food issues of Africans living in Belgium. During co-creation sessions in our tropical Glasshouses and around the dinner table, we worked with people of African heritage. Together we have produced a film about their food memories, two small exhibitions, a suite of activities and science cafés on several themes that were raised during the co-creation process. For example, we look at insects as a sustainable food and tubers that are commonly eaten in Africa but not in Europe. In doing this we have seen many successes. For example: 1. We have strengthened the relationship of our Garden with the African diaspora community. 2. We have obtained useful information on a number of African tropical plants in our Glasshouses, in particular on their use as food and medicine. 3. We have built bridges between our researchers and people of African heritage that have set up projects related to food security in their countries of origin. 4. We have developed new and exciting exhibitions, events and activities. 5. We have developed a strong relationship with a new audience.