Exploring a strategic partnership to support local innovation

The humanitarian innovation agenda has been broadly top-down to date, focused on improving the tools and practices of international humanitarian actors. Yet this top-down focus too often overlooks the talents, skills and aspirations of people affected by crises.Our experience at Elrha shows that addressing the right problem is key to successful innovation; engagement with people affected by crises is essential for fully understanding problems and the solutions required.HIF Innovation Manager Ian McClelland and Effective Partnerships Manager Frances Hill explore how strategic partnerships can support local innovation in an article published in the 'Communication and community engagement in humanitarian response' issue of the Humanitarian Exchange Magazine.Photo Credit: NASSA/Caritas Philippines