Field Innovation Journey Support

For Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA)

The foundation of this partnership between the Dutch Relief Alliance and Response Innovation Lab is based on a mutual mission to improve the success of innovation processes in humanitarian crises, particularly through encouraging implementing actors to embrace the adoption of locally-tested solutions, facilitate horizontal scaling between organizations and help develop a more functional humanitarian innovation ecosystem, with the ultimate purpose of generating better impact for affected populations in more time- and cost-effective ways.  

  • Project Overview

    RIL provided customised technical support to teams across various DRA Joint Responses, including Somalia, Yemen, NW/NE Syria, DRC, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Drawing on RIL's existing tools, methodologies, and training materials, this support was tailored to each context and spanned the following areas:

    1. Field-level data collection: through Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews

    2. Qualitative data analysis: to generate insights that informed programming and strategic decision-making

    3. Challenge Mapping workshops: design and facilitation

    4. Project communication support: throughout the course of each response

    5. Technical training and coaching: for innovators, including on innovation adaptation and design, with follow-up support

    6. Innovation Guide: development of a practical resource for teams

    7. Ecosystem Maps: development of interactive tools mapping the innovation landscape to encourage ecosystem collaboration

  • Project Deliverables (Sample)

    Field support across the full innovation journey followed a hybrid project delivery model, adaptive and responsive to emerging challenges and evolving needs from teams on the ground. The summary below outlines, in brief, the scope of RIL's support across Phase I and Phase II, along with key observations and learnings: not only from the workshop activities themselves, but also their broader implications, offered as a reference point for executive planning and strategy conversations.

    Click here to read the summary of Phase I & II activities.