Welcome to the July 2017 edition of the DIY Update. Read on to find out how DFID is using design to create more effective programmes, explore our new competency framework for public innovation, find out how collaboration is improving health innovation - plus much more.

Profiling the development mutants

As part of our series looking at innovators tackling development challenges in unexpected ways, this update focuses on the growing trend of using human-centred design in development. Read our guest blog from DFID about the impact that design thinking has had in their Amplify programme.

Development news and blogs

1. We’ve been working with leading innovation practitioners from around the world to develop a new competency framework that defines the key skills, attitudes and behaviours that public and social innovators combine in order to solve public problems. Read more here.
2. Working with the State of São Paulo in Brazil, we’ve been learning more about how companies, governments and researchers around the world are collaborating to improve the innovation process in health. Read more and download our recent report here.
3. Despite the massive amounts of data generated daily, governments and others still find it difficult to harness this to improve the delivery of public services. Our new Challenge Brief explores the potential of data-driven solutions to transform lives in the developing world.
4. Find out how development practitioners in Jakarta have been playing with the DIY Fast Idea Generator tool to uncover new ways to promote gender equality and social inclusion.
5. Read Nesta’s latest Lab Notes digest - a monthly round-up of content and links that brings together interesting tools and news from public sector innovators around the world.
6. Last year we launched DIY Learn, our first online learning programme in innovation. In this blog, explore our most recent module of the month, the Personas tool, to help you understand your beneficiary or user groups better.

What’s inspiring us

Here we share a selection of thought-provoking content on innovation and development from around the world that has come across our radar recently:

• There has been a proliferation of innovation labs, but what impact are they having in addressing global development challenges? This piece from Devex considers the evidence.
• A new report from UNDP focuses on the potential of alternative finance, data, behavioural design and government labs for innovating in development.
• Food poverty affects millions in the developing world. Read more about the Nigerian engineer finding innovative ways to connect retailers with low-income consumers, charity organisations and food-relief agencies.
• A new series of briefing papers from the United Nations Global Compact and PA Consulting look at the potential of disruptive technologies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• And finally, can social media really have an impact in responding to humanitarian disasters? Check out what Facebook and emoji designers are experimenting with in this space.

Connect with us

For updates on the DIY Toolkit, innovation and development, follow us on Twitter @DIYToolkit. More resources on Nesta’s work can be found on our website, Twitter and Facebook.

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