Collective innovation
Shaping a more effective humanitarian system
We are implementing experiments in early action, locally created innovations in disaster preparedness, and technology platforms to make humanitarian finance more efficient and transparent.
In future we will create a platform to share services and expertise, and to support the scaling of local innovation, so the system continues to adapt to the needs of those affected by crises.
The Start Network is uniquely positioned to drive innovation as a tool to change the global aid system.
Since the outset, Start Network members have been innovating together; introducing initiatives such as the Start Fund and the Anticipation Window. We’re building a more strategic approach – selecting the innovations we work on and using the depth of the network to provide a route to scale initiatives with the best potential for impact.
We believe that people facing the problems are better placed to solve what’s in front of them. So, we aim to foster innovation and support people to develop innovation at a local level. Our approach to innovation involves forging partnerships across the private sector and civil society too, as they can bring ideas well-tested in other situations.
We also aim to work on innovations that aim to improve the global humanitarian system, to tackle challenges that no single organisation can solve on their own. We believe that pooling and sharing innovation capacity collectively is crucially important when there is so little availability of funds for experimentation in this sector.
Our current innovation focus includes:
- Shifting to a risk financing approach to ensure predictable and early funding to mitigate the impact of crises and save lives. Our risk financing approaches - ARC Replica and the Drought Financing Facility - are being tested, before being taken to scale across the network.
- Providing local level support mechanisms to support local innovations in disaster preparedness. Our DEPP Innovations Labs are one such example of this.
- Supporting emergent innovation in how the network develops, collaborates and learns together. This includes creating and testing a more efficient due diligence system, to enable greater diversity of organisations accessing aid funding.
- Investing in technology where it can have the greatest impact on the system; transparency and collaboration are two such areas. Transparency through technology allows us to share and use data openly, to help make better decisions, while enabling stakeholders to see how funding is being spent.
THE WORKING DIFFERENTLY CHALLENGE
LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS
We are currently running The Working Differently Challenge.
We’re seeking teams who are creating solutions that address problems or challenges within humanitarian agencies or local communities. Visit this page to register your entry.
Our current programmes include
DEPP Innovation Labs
Anticipation & Risk Financing
Blockchain
The Start Fund
News, blog and opinion
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Collective innovation in action
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Find out more about how you can work with us