<p>The DEPP Innovation Labs programme developed <strong>safeguarding tools </strong>relevant for innovation labs, where the organisation is not "doing" a programme but rather facilitating design processes. This field-level safeguarding toolkit translates safeguarding policies into practice for people running programs on the ground. </p>
DEPP Innovation Labs have pioneered scalable, sustainable innovation with, by and for disaster affected communities. Established in Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya and the Philippines, all disaster-prone countries, the Labs sought to tackle specific challenges identified by communities at risk.
So, you have developed an innovation that addresses a humanitarian challenge. Congratulations! Now read this guide.
In June 2019, Start Fund Bangladesh made its first national disbursement to a local NGO. This signifies a major step forward in the Start Networks localisation commitments, allowing funds to go directly to the organisation best placed to provide assistance, with major cost and time savings.
Humanitarian innovation has rapidly gained a central role within humanitarian policy and practice as a way of addressing intractable challenges. An increasing number of humanitarian organisations have established innovation initiatives (including labs, challenge funds and scholarships), set up separate innovation departments and hired innovation staff.
In early 2019, The Start Network undertook a member survey which probed for examples of how the Start Network is influencing their operations.
The Start Network is pleased to share the 2018 Annual Report showcasing its work on revolutionising the way that humanitarian aid is being disbursed.
The Start Network is revolutionising the way that humanitarian aid is being disbursed by fostering localisation, new financing and collective innovation.
The humanitarian sector is often criticised for being too top-down and for failing to meet the needs and priorities of crisis-affected people. ‘Innovation’ became a rallying cry for new initiatives, organisations and funding promises. Yet, three years on, the sector has been slow to prioritise and support local leadership or to create systems that allow people affected by disaster to have a hand in shaping innovations within their own communities. A recent research paper suggests that only 33% of humanitarian innovators consult with affected populations during their innovation processes. In response to this situation, several organisations have begun advocating for the use of human-centred design (HCD) in humanitarian innovation: bringing meaningful community participation into developing solutions, services or assistance for that community. The Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme (DEPP) Innovation Labs is a diverse network of national and international humanitarian organisations, set up to identify and grow areas of innovation that come directly from communities affected by crises. The labs drew on the HCD tradition, with the aim of developing more responsive and locally-led humanitarian and preparedness programming.
Start Network has appointed Christina Bennett, currently Head of the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute, as its new CEO.
