Global Innovation Fund
Project Case Study: The Future of Global Innovation Funds
Project Title: Amplifying Grassroots Innovation - Redesigning UNHCR's Innovation Fund for Greater Impact
Client: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
Year: 2022
Empowering Innovators on the Ground
The UNHCR Innovation Fund was established to drive impactful solutions within displaced communities, but it faced challenges in accessibility and inclusivity.
Grassroots innovators, especially those from People of Concern (POC), were often sidelined due to complex application processes and selection criteria favoring larger, established organizations.
As a result, the fund was not reaching its full potential to support the people most connected to the challenges it aimed to solve.
Nordic Future Labs was invited to participate in the development process to redesign the fund’s structure, application, and selection processes.
Our mission was to make the fund more inclusive, accessible, and effective by enabling small frontline organizations and POC innovators on the ground. We aimed to make every dollar more impactful, achieving more with the same investment by empowering those best positioned to drive change from within their communities.
The Challenge
While the UNHCR Innovation Fund had a robust structure, it struggled to make its investment as impactful as possible. The application and selection processes were complex and not tailored to the needs of smaller, frontline POC organizations.
This disconnect meant that valuable insights and innovative ideas from those directly affected were often missed, reducing the overall effectiveness and ROI of the fund.
Our Approach
Redesigning for Impact and Accessibility
Nordic Future Labs collaborated with UNHCR to reshape the fund through a user-centered design process, prioritizing accessibility, effectiveness, and inclusivity.
1
Inclusive Fund Structure
We restructured the fund to lower barriers for grassroots innovators, making it more accessible to small, frontline organizations led by POC.
By simplifying the application process and clarifying communication, we ensured that the fund reached those on the ground who have the most direct impact.
2
Empowerment Through Participation
We redesigned the selection process to prioritize initiatives that maximize impact per dollar invested. By focusing on smaller, high-impact projects, we ensured that every dollar was used more effectively, creating more significant outcomes with the same investment.
This approach made the fund smarter, directing resources where they would be most impactful.
3
Maximizing ROI per Dollar
Our strategy aimed to increase the fund’s overall effectiveness by prioritizing initiatives that provide the best return on investment.
By supporting smaller, community-driven projects, the fund now empowers POC-led initiatives that deliver tangible, positive change, ensuring that each dollar spent has the greatest possible impact.
4
Holistic Engagement and Co-Creation
Through direct collaboration with grassroots innovators and POC leaders, including UNHCR NGO Innovation Award winners, we co-created a fund that genuinely reflects the needs and realities of its intended beneficiaries. This engagement allowed us to align the fund’s priorities with those of the communities it serves.
Results
A More Inclusive and Effective Fund
The redesigned UNHCR Innovation Fund now stands as a model for how global innovation funds can drive more significant impact with the same investment. By enabling small, frontline organizations and POC innovators, the fund ensures that those closest to the issues are at the forefront of creating solutions.
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Enhanced Accessibility: The streamlined application and selection processes have made the fund more accessible to grassroots innovators, empowering those with firsthand experience to lead change.
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Greater Impact per Dollar: By focusing on high-impact, cost-effective projects, the fund now makes every dollar more impactful, achieving greater outcomes and enhancing the effectiveness of each investment.
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Positive Community Response: Feedback from the refugee community has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the fund’s new inclusivity and its potential to drive meaningful change on the ground.
By making the fund smarter and more inclusive, Nordic Future Labs has helped create a powerful tool that amplifies grassroots innovation and maximizes the impact of every dollar invested.
Who we are
Nordic Future Labs is a strategic innovation agency dedicated to designing the future of business and society. Our multidisciplinary team of strategists, designers, and innovators works alongside global organizations to solve complex challenges.
Rooted in Nordic values of resilience, sustainability, and collaboration, we bridge the gap between vision and execution, transforming bold ideas into actionable strategies that drive real-world impact.
Our impact
We partner with global leaders across industries, driving sustainable innovation and resilience. Our work spans diverse sectors, from transforming coworking spaces into sustainable office hubs to crafting strategic responses for global organizations navigating complex challenges.
Each project is a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact—economically, socially, and environmentally.
Eco-friendly Resorts
Transformed traditional resorts into carbon-negative, eco-friendly destinations that blend luxury with sustainability.
Thriving Workspaces
Redefined coworking into co-thriving spaces, creating sustainable and human-centric office solutions recognized by the Nordic Startup Awards.
Sustainable Fashion
Empowered fashion brands to embrace sustainable practices, creating innovative, eco-conscious products that resonate with modern consumers.
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