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We advise, connect and provide resources to UNDP offices and partners, to harness innovation for development.
LET’S INNOVATE TOGETHER
irh.innovation@undp.org
OUR APPROACH
Implement strategic innovation design
We introduce and implement innovative methods for strategic processes and structures design, stakeholder engagement and sensemaking. This includes both virtual and analogue modes of design, incubation, and acceleration.
Support portfolio design and acceleration
We develop capabilities for the design and management of coherent portfolios to address complex issues by using the processes and tools of visual system representation, strategic reflections, development option design and portfolio sensemaking and management for a more effective response.
In collaboration with UNDP’s Chief Digital Office, we advance through exploring new technologies (blockchain, AI, VR, AR, XR, spatial computing) to create new products and services for more effective development solutions.
We consult and support the creation of data initiatives through data readiness assessments, clarification of objectives, determining target groups and ensuring responsible data practices. We also explore new data governance approaches to empower individuals (and communities) by using fair and inclusive data governance frameworks and practices.
OUR KEY DONORS
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
URBAN TRANSFORMATION | PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
The EU, in partnership with UNDP, supports local authorities in Eastern Partnership countries to use innovative methods towards just and green development.
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
Together with the EU, we are kicking off an online course on portfolio thinking. We will be updating this blog with weekly live entries, snippets and insights from the course designers, facilitators, speakers and participants following each session.
Our main donor is the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. Under the Transformative Governance and Finance Facility (TGFF) project, the Slovak Republic supports the region to harness the potential of the data revolution, new technologies and other innovations for improved governance and sustainable development. This will be achieved through engagement of citizens in new technologies and data, collaborative platforms on regional and national level, and the use of alternative finance. The project is currently in phase II (2018-2020) and builds on successes and lessons learned from Phase I (2015-2017).
FEATURED SUPPORTED PROJECTS
URBAN TRANSFORMATION
UNDP’s City Experiment Fund seeks to make sense of and address complex issues playing out in cities – including the impact of migration, climate change, and inequality – by working at the intersection of innovative methods and technologies.
SOCIAL IMPACT INNOVATION
UNDP BOOST is an acceleration program on a mission to boost and scale solutions to Covid-19 challenges. It’s a regional joint initiative by UNDP Europe and Central Asia with Koç Holding, the Slovak Ministry of Finance, and the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DATA INNOVATION
Ministry of Data
Open innovation challenges in the region aiming to create data-driven tools and crowdsource solutions for socio-economic challenges such as air pollution and mobility in cities.
UNDP works closely with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), a multilateral development bank, working to improve the lives of those they serve by promoting social and economic development in member countries and Muslim communities worldwide, and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), which is dedicated to reducing poverty in its member countries by promoting pro-poor growth, emphasizing human development, and providing financial support. As part of the IsDB-ISFD-NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction, a partnership program.
FEATURED SUPPORTED PROJECTS
PROJECT | ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
The TADAMON platform is a tool for improving civil society organizations (CSOs) in 57 OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) member countries by providing visibility, funding, capacity building and knowledge.
ACADEMY | CROWDFUNDING
The Crowdfunding Academy is an interactive training program that empowers and builds the capacities and skills of organizations to prepare and run successful crowdfunding campaigns.
PROJECT | CROWDFUNDING
AFAB was set up to eradicate avoidable blindness in 57 OIC Member countries, through raising awareness on avoidable blindness, building human and organizational capacities, mobilizing resources to support treatment campaigns and activities, and conducting treatment and sight restoring operations.
OUR COMMUNITY
- Lejla SadikuInnovation Specialist, BPBS, RBECLejla SadikuInnovation Specialist, BPBS, RBEC
Lejla works on applying innovation at the intersection of participation, governance and new technologies at UNDP Europe and Central Asia. She has been experimenting with new approaches, new data and new technologies for solving development challenges, promoting smarter and more open governance, and a more dynamic civic space. Prior to UNDP, she worked with Norwegian development assistance and the World Bank in the area of human development. She has also conducted research on the role of civil society in the fight against corruption, international efforts in state-building contexts and the importance of women empowerment for Kosovo’s development.
- Marina PetrovicInnovative Finance and Technology Expert, AltFinLabMarina PetrovicInnovative Finance and Technology Expert, AltFinLab
Marina is super excited when talking about innovation and connecting different dots from a more creative and interdisciplinary perspective. Her main focus are innovative technology and finance models – Fintech (Blockchain, Crowdfunding, Islamic finance, FBF, P2P finance, cryptocurrencies); Digital Development (Blockchain, MixedReality, Spatial Computing) and Community projects (Tadamon) that can assist in addressing country and city development and economic, societal and environmental facets of community growth. She is one of the UNDP AltFinLab (working in over 40 countries globally) and Crowdfunding Academy founders.
- Robert PašičkoExpert for Alternative Finance and Low Carbon Development, AltFinLabRobert PašičkoExpert for Alternative Finance and Low Carbon Development, AltFinLab
As a co-founder of UNDP Alternative Finance Lab, Robert supports innovation in alternative finance mechanisms and in low carbon development in over 40 countries globally. He focuses on finding ways to make green energy affordable through blockchain, crowdfunding and community financing. He also co-founded the UNDP Crowdfunding Academy, a training program for crowdfunding which has been implemented in over 20 countries worldwide and has created over 50 successful campaigns. He is an evaluator of blockchain projects funded by European Commission.
- Andreas PawelkeData Innovation Consultant, UNDP IRHAndreas PawelkeData Innovation Consultant, UNDP IRH
Andreas works on the Ministry of Data challenge and other data innovation related initiatives to identify, develop and test new ways of empowering people through technology and digital data. He’s also chairing the board of Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland e.V., a Berlin-based non-profit organization with the mission to open up governance systems and processes to democratize information in Germany and beyond.
- Yaera ChungData Innovation and Portfolio Design Expert, UNDP IRHYaera ChungData Innovation and Portfolio Design Expert, UNDP IRH
Yaera Chung is a consultant on Innovations for Data and Civic Engagement within the Open Government and Accountable Institutions team at the UNDP in Turkey. She works on bringing innovative applications on data for development, exploring new and emerging technologies and methodologies in analyzing and solving development challenges.
- Elina JarvelaStrategic Designer, M4EG and CEF, UNDP IRHElina JarvelaStrategic Designer, M4EG and CEF, UNDP IRH
Elina Järvelä is exploring opportunities around Alternative Financing for Development and Portfolio Design and System Transformation. She is determined to create a positive impact through her work and focuses on how the development work can be more impactful through better financing and design. Through the Alternative Finance work she has been developing Outcomes-based Financing, Impact Bonds and Social Impact Investing initiatives both in developing and developed countries. Portfolio Design work focuses on developing new design tools and methodologies for creating more coherent development initiatives especially in the times of growing complexity and uncertainty. Elina has Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development and a Master’s degree in Environment Science and extensive experience on environmental projects in the fields of sanitation, waste management and climate change.
- Tina StoumProject Manager, Mayors for Economic Growth, UNDP EurasiaTina StoumProject Manager, Mayors for Economic Growth, UNDP Eurasia
Tina facilitates the Mayors for Economic Growth Facility, an EU and UNDP initiative that intends to bring in (more) complexity and systems thinking and approaches in local economic development. She has worked on normative and development challenges for NGOs and the United Nations in India, Kenya, Turkey, China and the UN headquarters in New York. Tina was a part-time (certified) social worker for 10 years in her home country Norway.
- Rikard SjostrandSDG Integration and Knowledge Management Specialist, UNDP IRHRikard SjostrandSDG Integration and Knowledge Management Specialist, UNDP IRH
- Onur AtaySocial Innovation and Participation Manager, BOOST, UNDP IRHOnur AtaySocial Innovation and Participation Manager, BOOST, UNDP IRH
Onur has project management experience in urban innovation practices and resulting social impacts on civil society. He has worked with local governments in Turkey, engaged in regional and global collaborations, specifically focusing on empowering civic engagement and disseminating participative decision making processes. Onur is also currently the Program Manager of Istanbul Innovation Days 2020 as a part of the Knowledge and Innovations Team at the UNDP Regional Bureau.
- Justyna KrólLead, CEF, UNDP IRHJustyna KrólLead, CEF, UNDP IRH
Justyna Król is an urban transformation and social innovation practitioner. In 2014, Justyna founded “Urban Workshop” (PL.: Pracownia Miejska) specialising in designing urban futures, city transformation models and effective civic engagement. Her participatory urban foresight method was recognised globally through the Joseph Jaworski Next Generation Practitioners Community Award.
- Svetla BaevaCommunications Lead, UNDP IRHSvetla BaevaCommunications Lead, UNDP IRH
Svetla is the communications lead with the Knowledge and Innovations Team at the UNDP Regional Bureau. She is also the Campaigns Director at Fine Acts, a global creative studio for social impact. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of communications and human rights, with a number of successful campaigns and initiatives in the region. She has an academic background in political science and journalism, with a Master’s degree from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is also a 2018 Fulbright Scholar, and as part of the program, she joined Change.org to explore digital advocacy campaigning practices and people mobilization.
- Sanem Berfin IlhanCommunications, UNDP IRHSanem Berfin IlhanCommunications, UNDP IRH
Sanem Ilhan joined the team in June 2020 as an intern and at UNDP she works mainly in the field of communications and assists the Portfolio Design. She previously worked at startups focusing on digital identity cloud solutions and blockchain in Berlin.
- Vahagn VoskanyanImpact Investment Advisor, UNDP ArmeniaVahagn VoskanyanImpact Investment Advisor, UNDP Armenia
- Rawad RizkProject Manager, AltFinLabRawad RizkProject Manager, AltFinLab
Rawad Rizk is serving as a mentor for the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy and is a team member of Tadamon: NGOs empowerment for poverty reduction program. He is also managing the Live Lebanon initiative. Rawad has an extensive experience in managing community projects and supporting CSOs and NGOs by introducing innovative solutions and bringing different stakeholders together. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and communication engineering.
- Hajdana RukavinaExpert on Crowdfunding for Development, AltFinLabHajdana RukavinaExpert on Crowdfunding for Development, AltFinLab
For the last 6 years, Hajdana has been working on innovative financing models in energy and climate-related fields, as well as social entrepreneurship, through crowdfunding and crowdinvesting. She is a co-founder of the Crowdfunding Academy and has experience in educating more than 250 teams in preparingcrowdfunding campaigns and mentoring more than 30 successful crowdfunding campaigns worldwide. Hajdana is a team member of the NGOs Empowerment for poverty reduction program as a crowdfunding expert and mentor at the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy.
- Ben Thompson CoonMapping Expert for NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction, AltFinLabBen Thompson CoonMapping Expert for NGO Empowerment for Poverty Reduction, AltFinLabBen Thompson Coon is responsible for mapping CSOs as part of the NGO Empowerment Project as well as serving as a mentor for Tadamon Crowdfunding Academies. He is a strong believer in grassroots development and dedicated to empowering communities to organize to determine their own futures. Prior to joining the team he worked with innovation and communications with UNDP Arab States and has extensive experience working with NGOs both in his home country of Finland and East Africa. Ben holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Helsinki.
- Gamze ErgurProject Associate, UNDP IRHGamze ErgurProject Associate, UNDP IRH
- Özge AyrıbaşProject Associate, Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG), UNDP IRHÖzge AyrıbaşProject Associate, Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG), UNDP IRH
- Valentin CroitoruM4EG Project Coordinator, UNDP MoldovaValentin CroitoruM4EG Project Coordinator, UNDP Moldova
- Javid MammadovProject Manager, M4EG, UNDP AzerbaijanJavid MammadovProject Manager, M4EG, UNDP Azerbaijan
- Zhirayr EdilyanProject Coordinator, M4EG, UNDP ArmeniaZhirayr EdilyanProject Coordinator, M4EG, UNDP Armenia
- Mustafa Sait-AmetovM4EG Project Coordinator, UNDP UkraineMustafa Sait-AmetovM4EG Project Coordinator, UNDP Ukraine
- Tatevik KoloyanInnovation and SDG Finance Lead, UNDP ArmeniaTatevik KoloyanInnovation and SDG Finance Lead, UNDP Armenia
- Hasmik SoghomonyanTechnical Task Leader, UNDP Kolba Innovations Lab, UNDP ArmeniaHasmik SoghomonyanTechnical Task Leader, UNDP Kolba Innovations Lab, UNDP Armenia
- Narek ManukyanTechnical Task Leader, ImpactAIM Accelerator Programme, UNDP ArmeniaNarek ManukyanTechnical Task Leader, ImpactAIM Accelerator Programme, UNDP Armenia
- Nelli MinasyanProject Lead, City Experiment Fund Talent Nests, UNDP ArmeniaNelli MinasyanProject Lead, City Experiment Fund Talent Nests, UNDP Armenia
- Lilit MidoyanPublic Space Lead, UNDP ArmeniaLilit MidoyanPublic Space Lead, UNDP Armenia
- Andrei AbramiukProgramme Analyst, Partnership & SDG Financing, UNDP BelarusAndrei AbramiukProgramme Analyst, Partnership & SDG Financing, UNDP Belarus
- Marina DimovaGovernance Chief Technical Specialist, UNDP BiHMarina DimovaGovernance Chief Technical Specialist, UNDP BiH
- Kemal BajramovicHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab BiHKemal BajramovicHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab BiH
- Amina OmicevicHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab BiHAmina OmicevicHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab BiH
- Arijana DrinicHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab BiHArijana DrinicHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab BiH
- Khatuna SandroshviliInnovation Lead, UNDP GeorgiaKhatuna SandroshviliInnovation Lead, UNDP Georgia
- Tinatin (Tiko) TkeshelashviliProject Manager, Local Development, UNDP GeorgiaTinatin (Tiko) TkeshelashviliProject Manager, Local Development, UNDP Georgia
- Aizhan KapyshevaHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab KazakhstanAizhan KapyshevaHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab Kazakhstan
- Danabek KaliazhdarovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab KazakhstanDanabek KaliazhdarovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab Kazakhstan
- Valeriya TyoHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab KazakhstanValeriya TyoHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab Kazakhstan
- Fatmir BelallariICT Specialist, UNDP KosovoFatmir BelallariICT Specialist, UNDP Kosovo
- Luanda DomiProject Associate, Digital Portfolio, UNDP KosovoLuanda DomiProject Associate, Digital Portfolio, UNDP Kosovo
- Elza ZhaveliProject Lead, City Experiment Fund – Prizren Digital City Network Project, UNDP KosovoElza ZhaveliProject Lead, City Experiment Fund – Prizren Digital City Network Project, UNDP Kosovo
- Merita KoqiCoordinator of Prizren Green Growth Centre, UNDP KosovoMerita KoqiCoordinator of Prizren Green Growth Centre, UNDP Kosovo
- Arlinda Rushay SadikuProject Officer, Architect for Humanitarian Assistance Programme, UNDP KosovoArlinda Rushay SadikuProject Officer, Architect for Humanitarian Assistance Programme, UNDP Kosovo
- Andreas NordSocio-Economic Programme Associate, UNDP KosovoAndreas NordSocio-Economic Programme Associate, UNDP Kosovo
- Enisa SerhatiPortfolio Manager, Sustainable Growth and Environment, UNDP KosovoEnisa SerhatiPortfolio Manager, Sustainable Growth and Environment, UNDP Kosovo
- Ainagul AbdrahmanovaInnovation Focal Point, UNDP KyrgyzstanAinagul AbdrahmanovaInnovation Focal Point, UNDP Kyrgyzstan
- Jenny Ensi TszieHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab KyrgyzstanJenny Ensi TszieHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab Kyrgyzstan
- Viktoriia PetrovaHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab KyrgyzstanViktoriia PetrovaHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab Kyrgyzstan
- Zinaida AdamMIDL Project Manager, UNDP MoldovaZinaida AdamMIDL Project Manager, UNDP Moldova
- Dumitru VasilescuProgramme Analyst, UNDP MoldovaDumitru VasilescuProgramme Analyst, UNDP Moldova
- Tomica PaovicTeam Leader, Governance and Economy and Environment, UNDP MontenegroTomica PaovicTeam Leader, Governance and Economy and Environment, UNDP Montenegro
- Aleksandra KikovicProgramme Manager, UNDP MontenegroAleksandra KikovicProgramme Manager, UNDP Montenegro
- Borko VulikicProject Manager, UNDP MontenegroBorko VulikicProject Manager, UNDP Montenegro
- Igor IzotovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab North MacedoniaIgor IzotovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab North Macedonia
- Lazar Pop IvanovHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab North MacedoniaLazar Pop IvanovHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab North Macedonia
- Ardita ZekiriHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab North MacedoniaArdita ZekiriHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab North Macedonia
- Irena CerovicHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab SerbiaIrena CerovicHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab Serbia
- Kristina NikolicHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab SerbiaKristina NikolicHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab Serbia
- Drasko DraskovicHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab SerbiaDrasko DraskovicHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab Serbia
- Katarina KosminaProject Coordinator, Digital Transformation & Open Data Projects, UNDP SerbiaKatarina KosminaProject Coordinator, Digital Transformation & Open Data Projects, UNDP Serbia
- Sanja ArizanovicOpen Data Project Coordinator, UNDP SerbiaSanja ArizanovicOpen Data Project Coordinator, UNDP Serbia
- Slobodan MarkovicDigital Advisor, UNDP SerbiaSlobodan MarkovicDigital Advisor, UNDP Serbia
- Firuz SaidkhadzhaevLocal Governance Specialist, UNDP TajikistanFiruz SaidkhadzhaevLocal Governance Specialist, UNDP Tajikistan
- Seher Alacaci ArinerAssistant Resident Representative (Programme), UNDP TurkeySeher Alacaci ArinerAssistant Resident Representative (Programme), UNDP Turkey
- Ievgen KylymnykHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab UkraineIevgen KylymnykHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab Ukraine
- Oleksiy MoskalenkoHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab UKraineOleksiy MoskalenkoHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab UKraine
- Oksana UdovykHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab UkraineOksana UdovykHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab Ukraine
- Farida AhmatiyHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab UzbekistanFarida AhmatiyHead of Solutions Mapping, UNDP AccLab Uzbekistan
- Muzaffar TilavovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab UzbekistanMuzaffar TilavovHead of Exploration, UNDP AccLab Uzbekistan
- Adham KuchkarovHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab UzbekistanAdham KuchkarovHead of Experimentation, UNDP AccLab Uzbekistan
- Andrej DundovicWeb Developer / SysOpAndrej DundovicWeb Developer / SysOp
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