Closing the HIF chapter: Reflections on navigating barriers and building a movement for change

Since 2010, the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) has awarded over 270 research and innovation grants, with more than £25 million invested to transform humanitarian action. But beyond this the HIF has been about something deeper, creating the space and support for humanitarians to challenge how the system works, and reimagine humanitarian response.

Innovation and innovators

The innovators we have accompanied have implemented 190 innovations in more than 65 countries. Navigating conflict zones, complex cultural contexts and disaster settings. They have tested new ways to ensure access to clean water in refugee camps, to support diverse women at risk of gender-based violence (GBV)G, develop a support package for older people managing incontinence, or scale reusable and culturally appropriate menstrual products and education to over 26,000 women and girls in nine countries. Together these innovations, and the others that are part of HIF’s community, have shown what is possible. The stories of impact and change that we have had the privilege to witness are a testament to the determination and resilience that exists within the humanitarian community.

Our Failure to Scale report noted that those who choose to work on humanitarian challenges are often characterised by their strong personal values, but this work often comes with overlooked costs (financial, mental and physical health, career opportunities etc). A deep and heartfelt thank you to every innovator we have accompanied, for the determination and expertise you have shown to reimagine humanitarian response for all.

In 2025, the HIF co-hosted the Humanitarian Innovation Forum, which brought together a diverse group of innovators, decision-makers and funders to tackle some of the entrenched norms that hold the humanitarian system in stasis. What emerged from this event was an appreciation that progress has been made, and with it the determination that we all hold a piece of the puzzle on how change can happen. Reinforcing that behind each innovation is a wider ecosystem of support that has been critical to its success.

Support over the years

Whether as a Technical Working Group (TWG) member, a technical reviewer, as a Funding Committee Member, a HIF Advisory Group member, or a staff member, the HIF has been a meeting place for some of the most experienced and values-driven people in the sector, who all share the aim of improving the lives of people affected by crisis.  

Connecting innovators with technical expertise has been a core part of our role, both to identify innovations with the greatest potential and to support innovators to iterate and enhance the impact of their work. In November 2014, the first WASH TWG was convened to build a new strategic focus for HIF’s innovation funding. We went on to establish a GBV TWG in May 2018 and a disability and older age inclusion (DOAI) TWG in March 2019. Across 39 thematic funding calls, almost £12 million has been disbursed. The TWGs offered their critical guidance on delivering six gap analyses for the sector, over ten problem exploration reports, as well as providing grantees with essential technical advice and support.

In November 2011, the first grants panel met to review applications for HIF's first open innovation grant calls. In time this became the HIF funding committee, which, since 2020, has reviewed 156 applications and awarded £9 million in grant funding. The insights generated by the committee consultations helped shape and inform over 75 grantee projects. The committee have brought an understanding of the complexities of the humanitarian system to each application, providing advice and critique on how to best navigate the barriers we know humanitarian innovation faces.

The HIF Board, established in January 2011, guided the strategic direction of the HIF programme, evolving into the HIF Advisory Group in September 2014. Supporting with the redesign of the HIF’s grant-making, from open funding towards thematic funding connected to specific Innovation Challenges.

The Advisory Board provided guidance on emerging areas for innovation, including the recent AI for Humanitarians learning journey and the potential of innovation as part of a rapid-onset crisis. By helping develop capacity building of futures and foresight, and through co-creating and supporting delivery of the Humanitarian Innovation Forum, the Advisory Group ensured that the HIF lived up to the values that guide Elrha.

Finally, to the HIF and wider Elrha staff past and present, who have supported and championed those driving change. Each evaluation has consistently commented on the flexibility, generosity of support, expertise and kindness shown by the funder, and that has been down to the wonderful staff who have been part of the team.

To everyone who has been part of the HIF community – innovators, advisors, reviewers, and partners – thank you. Your expertise, challenge, and commitment have shaped not just projects, but a movement for change.

What next?

During the last 18 months, we have been listening to our grantees, partners and staff to reimagine how we can, through sustained learning, research and innovation, make humanitarian response stronger, more inclusive, and better able to respond to future challenges.  

The HIF is now evolving once again, and a new chapter will start in Elrha’s journey. In line with our strategy, this next chapter will bring together the intelligence and expertise from across all our programmes of work: Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises, UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, the Community-Led Innovation Partnership and the HIF. It will contribute to the wider movement for change that we saw at the Humanitarian Innovation Forum, and that we continue to see in our community today.  

We hope you will come with us on this next step in our journey, we’ve supported R&I for over a decade and we’re continuing to do so, using tools we’ve been using for years: scale accompaniment, rapid research, problem identification and evidence reviews.