Challenge prizes’ role in the government’s missions

We’re in a brave new world of mission-driven government.

The new administration’s election manifesto was structured around five national missions – on clean energy, a revitalised NHS, economic growth, crime and opportunities for young people.

Within each of these missions, problems and opportunities to be addressed, and lofty targets to aim for.

These missions are whole-of-government priorities, crossing ministerial briefs and departmental silos.

Public services are refocusing on them in their day-to-day work. Institutions are being reformed or set up – such as GB Energy and GB Railways. And much of the delivery of these missions will be about hard work in government – new initiatives being launched, money being invested, infrastructure being built.

But innovation needs to play a key role in achieving mission objectives, too. Without new ideas – whether that’s novel technologies, creative business models or new ways of delivering – these missions won’t be achieved.

We think that challenge prizes are a good fit for innovation within government missions.

Challenge prizes focus on outcomes, and on creating tangible, measurable advances. Missions need these – to provide stepping stones to their ultimate goals, to break down barriers and to seize the new opportunities that they provide.

As part of Nesta’s Policy Live conference last month, I set out Challenge Works’ vision for how prizes could be part of the government’s mission programme. My colleagues and I proposed six prizes – two each for the health, energy and growth missions – that we think could make a difference.

We’ve just published three articles outlining what these ideas are:

Prizes to help make Britain a clean energy superpower

Prizes to kickstart economic growth in the UK

Prizes to build an NHS fit for the future

If you’re interested and think you could help make them happen – please get in touch.