Co-written by Benjamin Kumpf, Head of Innovation for Development Facility, OECD, and Kathy Nothstine, Director of Cities and Societies, Challenge Works
The OECD Innovation for Development Facility (INDEF) and Challenge Works are pleased to announce a virtual launch event marking the publication of a new report on Tuesday 3 September.
The event will highlight the findings of our joint investigation into the effects of challenge funds and challenge prizes on innovation ecosystems in low-income countries, and how these instruments have contributed to building dynamic capabilities in public sector entities.
Governments in high-income countries have long offered financial incentives for innovative solutions to complex problems. However, open innovation mechanisms like challenge funds and challenge prizes have been used less widely in low-income countries. Now, more and more governments in low-income countries are using mechanisms such as these to foster innovation, but to date, there has been relatively little research into the method as a whole in this context. This paper explores the effects of such mechanisms on innovation ecosystems and how challenge funds and prizes have contributed to building dynamic capabilities in public sector entities.
Based on a literature review, a synthesis of ten evaluations and insights from four case studies in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and an Africa-wide initiative, INDEF and Challenge Works have developed a set of recommendations to support professionals working in international development organisations and public sector officials in low-income countries, especially those charged with designing and managing challenge funds and prizes and advancing new ways of working.
Join this webinar to hear the research findings and engage in a dialogue to explore:
- How challenge funds and prizes can be designed and managed to nurture innovation ecosystems in low-income countries, and
- The design and management features of challenge funds and prizes that can help strengthen institutional capabilities in public sector entities in low-income countries.
Register now to join the webinar on Tuesday 3 September at 15.30 CET.
