Strengthening evidence-based decision-making in humanitarian innovation
Humanitarian innovation generates rich data, insights, and learning, yet too often this evidence is under-used when it matters most. In fast-moving, complex contexts, teams are frequently required to make critical decisions without clear, shared processes for understanding what the evidence really tells them, whose perspectives it reflects, and how it should inform next steps.
In this webinar, Merl, who co-developed the Evidence-Based Decision-Making Toolkit, will introduce and walk participants through a practical, field-tested set of tools designed specifically for humanitarian innovators. Developed through a participatory process with innovation teams across multiple countries and contexts, the toolkit helps teams move beyond data collection towards making better decisions — collaboratively, adaptively, and with confidence.
What the session will cover:
- Why evidence often fails to influence decisions in innovation projects and how to address this
- Introduction to five practical tools that help teams:
- Map what evidence is actually needed and by whom
- Assess confidence in different types of evidence
- Make sense of data collectively with users and affected communities
- Capture learning and decisions in real time
- How the tools support adaptive management, learning, and accountability without adding heavy reporting or evaluation burdens.
Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is designed for:
- Humanitarian innovation, research, and strategy teams
- Innovation managers, advisors, and funders
- Leaders and decision-makers navigating change, constraint, and complexity
No prior futures or technical evaluation expertise is required. The toolkit is deliberately designed to be accessible, participatory, and usable by mixed teams, at different stages of the innovation journey.
