Scaling innovation in humanitarian action: Insights and pathways for change from country-level convenings

This blog is co-authored by Aradhana Gurung, CEO Impact447 Pvt. Ltd, Humanitarian Innovation Fund Advisory Group member and Shirin Maani, Head of the Humanitarian Innovation Fund programme, Elrha

In this blog the co-authors shares insights drawn from country-level convenings they held where diverse voices came together to reimagine what’s possible in scaling humanitarian innovation.

The journey from innovation to impact in the humanitarian sector is often fraught with challenges. Insights from the recently released Failure to Scale paper reveals that many promising ideas struggle to achieve the scale necessary to create widespread and lasting change. This paper not only highlights the systemic barriers but also emphasises the importance of localised solutions and collaborative efforts among key stakeholders.

To bring these findings to life and identify actionable forward, Elrha partnered with the Response Innovation Lab (RIL) to convene a series of country-level discussions, that included Turkey, Jordan, Yemen, South Sudan, Uganda and global innovation stakeholders. These informal and collaborative convenings brought together funders, implementers, and innovators to explore the unique challenges at the local level and surface context-specific solutions. Participants shared a wealth of experience and insights from their respective settings.

This blog captures the essence of these conversations which were informal yet deeply insightful discussions that illuminated shared struggles, opportunities, and creative suggestions. It also underscores the power of fostering safe, collaborative spaces where diverse voices come together to reimagine what’s possible in scaling humanitarian innovation.

Read on as we share highlights, challenges, and takeaways from these country-level convenings and explore how they are shaping a forward-looking agenda for change.

Systemic issues in humanitarian innovation: A call for change

‍The convenings revealed entrenched systemic barriers preventing promising innovations from achieving scale. Participants discussed inflexible financial processes, limited risk tolerance, and the tendency to conflate innovation with invention rather than iterative problem-solving. Innovators shared frustrations about gaps in understanding local needs, a disconnect with funders, and rigidity in donor expectations. Funders acknowledged slow adoption of innovative approaches due to administrative bottlenecks. Administrators and operations professionals highlighted inflexible processes and insufficient collaboration mechanisms as significant hurdles.

Yet, these challenges are not insurmountable. The collective insights from these convenings pointed towards clear pathways for systemic change. Simplifying regulatory processes, better aligning donor priorities with community needs, and building capacity at the grassroots level emerged as actionable strategies. This is a shared responsibility, requiring concerted and intentional effort and openness to rethink traditional frameworks.

Harnessing technology ethically and effectively

The integration of emerging technologies into humanitarian work holds significant promise but also raises important concerns. From digital tools streamlining cash distribution to advanced technologies protecting infrastructure, the potential for positive impact is clear. However, these advances come with risks including data privacy concerns, increased operational costs and risks associated with unregulated tools.

Participants called for greater accountability and context-sensitive applications of technology. Innovators emphasised the importance of user-centered approaches, which ensure technologies are tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, funders highlighted the urgency of establishing ethical guidelines and robust frameworks to mitigate risks. These discussions underscored that technology is not a silver bullet, it must be wielded thoughtfully to truly enhance humanitarian outcomes.

Funding innovation: Toward sustainable models

Funding remains a critical bottleneck in humanitarian innovation. Dependency on traditional donor funding, coupled with a reluctance to invest in high-risk projects, stifles creativity and scalability. Innovators voiced their need for transparent,accessible processes and more collaborative funding models. Funders pointed to the necessity of diversifying financial mechanisms and streamlining due diligence.

Solutions proposed at these convenings were both bold and promising. Ideas such as milestone-based crowdfunding, pooled funds with private sector involvement, and training local investors offer a glimpse of what’s possible. These approaches emphasise sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with local priorities, setting the stage for transformative change in how innovation is financed.

Fostering collaboration and inclusion

Perhaps the most resonant theme from these convenings was the need for equitable collaboration. Hierarchical power dynamics and reliance on international intermediaries often exclude local voices, limiting the impact and sustainability of humanitarian efforts. Innovators and administrators alike called for breaking down silos, building trust with communities, and fostering co-creation between stakeholders.

Concrete actions, such as organising more localised and accessible networking events and promoting inclusive governance models, could be identified as starting points. By empowering local organisations with direct funding and capacity-strengthening opportunities, the humanitarian sector can begin to dismantle inequitable structures and ensure that solutions are truly representative and impactful.

Charting the way forward

These convenings were more than discussions, they were a collective commitment to action. From ethical technology use to innovative funding models and inclusive collaboration to systemic flexibility, the insights shared form a roadmap for reimagining humanitarian innovation.

We built on these convenings when a community of funders, implementers and innovators came together at the Innovation Forum in Nairobi. This event culminated in a dynamic working paper that reflects the collective resolve to shift power to local communities and innovators. The focus: collaboration, transparency, and ethical risk-taking. Stakeholders aim to integrate a bottom-up approach, streamline compliance, and centre humanitarian impact in all innovation efforts.

While the specifics are still under refinement, the overarching vision is clear: humanitarian actors including donors, organisations, and innovators must unite to prioritise co-creation, localisation, and measurable impact. It calls for rethinking funding mechanisms, fostering networks of support, and systematically addressing barriers to innovation.

As we navigate the complexities of the post-January 2025 aid environment, this vision provides a critical framework for action. The challenge now lies in refining these ideas into actionable strategies that can truly transform humanitarian responses.

Our hope is to deepen these collective dialogues and translate the insights into tangible strategies. The convenings reaffirm that scaling humanitarian innovation is not just about overcoming barriers; it’s about reshaping the system to be more inclusive, adaptive, and effective. The next step is clear: to act boldly, collaboratively, and with a shared vision of amore equitable future.

Let’s continue this journey together - one conversation, one innovation, one step at a time.

Read more about our Scaling Series

‍Failure to Scale

This paper explores the challenges humanitarian innovations face in achieving scale. Our research highlights why this issue matters, its implications, and its underlying causes.

Read more about this paper

Humanitarian procurement: challenges and opportunities in the adoption of WASH production innovations

This paper focuses on the demand side for product innovations and the connection between supply and demand, namely procurement.

‍Read more about this paper‍

Impact evidence and beyond: Using evidence to drive adoption of humanitarian innovations

This learning paper provides guidance to humanitarian innovators on how to use evidence to enable and drive adoption of innovation.

Read more about this paper