The Uganda Response Innovation Lab ( Uganda RIL) has developed a dynamic map of the local ecosystem to better identify actors, innovators, in the response. The map is comprehensive of the humanitarian and social impact innovation stakeholders and supporters in the innovation ecosystem.

The Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) produced a report in November 2020 on the future of technology and innovation from the COVID-19 response. The Response Innovation Lab’s both in Iraq and Uganda were highlighted.

Saul Kabali, who started as an intern at the Uganda Response Innovation Lab shares the 6 lessons he learned from his time at the lab, and how it has impacted the growth of his innovation - SafeBangle.

The REF is an innovative Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanism in the Uganda refugee response. The study showcases REF as a good practice for community engagement in a refugee response setting and hopes to inspire other countries to do the same and attracting more support for the REF in the country.

Covid-19 has hit the most marginalized groups hardest, in terms of sustaining their livelihoods, and maintaining education opportunities for their children. At the same time, undeniable creativity is being noted as the crisis also catalyzes innovations. Yet, we face challenges in rolling out those innovations. Listen to this session hosted by Charlene Cabor, RIL Uganda Lab Lead alongside representatives from the Social Innovation Academy, A Hand Uganda, GSMA, and Starthub Africa to learn more.

The world is counting on innovations in virology, epidemiology, and other medical fields to deliver a vaccine for the novel Coronavirus and treatment for Covid-19. These breakthroughs are likely to be made in labs from the world’s leading economies. However, there is a critical second tier of issues whose solutions are already emanating from much more diverse contexts. NGOs in resource-poor settings are trying new methods of sharing information through multi-media channels and new forms of content. While these types of innovation may not lead to a cure for the disease, they are addressing critical problems in its transmission and spread; in addition to the direct implications of this pandemic, the long-term impact on the well-being of individuals remains obscure and will inevitably add another layer of challenge to people’s lives

Somali RIL has been working with the innovators Sisitech to further develop the Digital Attendance App to support World Visions supported schools across Somalia with better tracking, supporting, and communicating attendance and outcomes to parents, districts, and the government.

A short video to showcase RIL’s M&E tool in Somalia gathering evidence around an educational pilot case study of the Digital Attendance Application (DAA) education pilot with World Vision.

The Somali RIL presented on the collaborative public-private approach in building partnerships and leverage humanitarian mechanisms in the co-creation of public health messaging products that are open-sourced, and therefore quickly scaled to build a national prevention response campaign to COVID-19.

A deep dive into the solution identification and piloting of an app, to meet an education challenge in Somalia.

In response to these challenges, Engineers Without Borders - USA, in partnership with the Response Innovation Lab Uganda, is launching a call for Innovation on the design of a solid soap dispenser for public hand-washing stations.

Pharx, an innovation supported by the Iraq Response Innovation Lab is highlight in The Guardian.

Somalia RIL conducted a rapid mini-assessment survey in April 2020, focused on understanding the needs and priorities of humanitarian actors in the COVID-19 response. These results are being shared openly to foster learning, improve coordination, and prioritize resources to areas of need.

Somalia is often simply portrayed as being affected by war and famine. Although many challenges exist, this is not the full narrative and it takes away from the many positive and exciting initiatives that have taken root and are having a positive impact.

The report presents the findings from the RISE innovation ecosystem mapping study which seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the key actors, factors, and relationships within Somalia’s humanitarian innovation sector.

The catalog highlights green innovations in Uganda as compiled for the Green Innovations Prize.