Innovation spaces: Transforming humanitarian practice in the United Nations

This research seeks to understand the way in which innovation labs across several UN agencies are being used to foster new ways of operating within the UN’s bureaucratic structures. We ask three key questions to help unpack how innovation labs are taking shape and to inform lessons for future labs about what works and what does not, in trying to achieve a culture of innovation and improved humanitarian solutions. These questions are:

• What form do innovation labs in UN agencies take?
• What motivated their initiation? What are their aims and objectives?
• What impact have they had and how is the impact being measured?