We believe UNHCR must continue to utilise an innovative approach to the growing humanitarian needs of today, and more critically— the future. As the world becomes increasingly complex, UNHCR must become more adaptable and agile. We must adapt to new systems, technologies, and innovations to be fit for purpose; challenging the status quo.
At the UNHCR Innovation Service, we aim to support a culture of creativity and collaboration across the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). We don’t consider ourselves innovators per se, but rather, the facilitators who bring innovation tools, and learning environments to those who require support, in order to help contribute to improvements in how UNHCR works. Regardless, if you’re a refugee or a UNHCR staff member, we want to help you create an enabling environment for innovation and continuous learning.

 

Connectivity for Refugees

Over the last 25 years, the internet and mobile communications have transformed life in the industrialized and developing worlds alike.

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The Arc

Learn how science can improve communications about refugees and humanitarian innovation.

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Year In Review 2017

In the humanitarian and innovation communities, the collective sense of urgency reached new heights this year.

Read the report

Innovation Award 2018

UNHCR Annual Consultations with NGOs 2018

The UNHCR Annual Consultations with NGOs Innovation Award (“the Award”) celebrates efforts and achievements that advance the innovative delivery of services to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. The Award is given to NGOs from any country/territory that demonstrate commitment and creativity to achieving improved efficiency of services for forcibly displaced people.

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This is what we do

UNHCR’s Innovation Service facilitates innovation in UNHCR and aims to promote refugee-led innovation across the world.

Refugee-led Innovation

Refugees are innovators. Read this article about refugee-led innovation & stay tuned for more resources.

Experiment with us

Find out how you can experiment with us on humanitarian processes & solutions.

We hate buzzwords

What does innovation even mean? Download our innovation glossary to find out (no, it’s not technology).

The ‘UNHCR Innovation Women Series’ highlights unique perspectives and challenges of women in UNHCR. They offer advice on being a woman in the humanitarian field, lessons learned, stories from their careers, and simple actions we can take to bring more equity into the workplace.

Visit our YouTube channel for the interviews.
Read more about the series.

Stories

UNHCR Innovation Service’s new blog brings you a transparent looks at what humanitarian innovation looks like in practice for (and with) refugees.

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