We advise, connect and provide resources to UNDP offices and partners, to harness innovation for development.

The UNDP Innovation Community in Europe and Central Asia supports 18 countries and territories in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by harnessing the potential of the data revolution, new technologies, innovative finance and new, systemic ways of working. We take a systemic approach to addressing the complex development challenges of the region, collaborating closely with public and private and civil society in the region and globally. Learn more about innovation at UNDP Europe and Central Asia here.
 
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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.

Advance digital development

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.

Explore data innovation and governance

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.

Pioneer innovation finance
We revolutionize development finance, through innovation, digitalization and technology. Through AltFin Lab we have provided hands-on technical expertise, advisory support and market intelligence to over 45 UNDP offices, national partners and governments around the world.

OUR KEY DONORS

Flag_of_Europe

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. 

Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic

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. 

Islamic Development Bank and Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development

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

DONORS

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Interested in innovating for development?

We support UNDP offices, governments, and partners in advancing strategic urban innovation to design and implement impactful interventions in cities to transform our society for the better.

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