About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Lessons from Innovate to Save

The Innovate to Save (I2S) programme, run by Y Lab between 2017-2020, was an experiment in using blended finance to support innovation projects in Wales that had the potential to both improve public services and generate cashable savings. It was funded by the Welsh Government and implemented by Y Lab, with support from WCVA.

Evaluation played a significant role throughout the programme, helping us to improve delivery and to understand whether I2S was successful in its aim to improve public services and generate cashable savings.

With the closure of the programme, we are pleased to publish our final evaluation report on Innovate to Save. The report offers lessons learned, recommendations to others running similar programmes, and captures key findings about barriers and facilitators to innovation.

The programme evaluation was undertaken by Dr Wendy Hardyman (Y Lab Research Fellow), with support from Dr Steve Garner (Y Lab Senior Research Fellow) and Prof. James Lewis (Y Lab co-lead and academic director).

Author

Angharad Dalton

Angharad Dalton

Angharad Dalton

Programme Manager, Y Lab

Angharad was the Programme Manager for Innovate to Save.

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Rob Ashelford

Rob Ashelford

Rob Ashelford

Pennaeth Nesta Cymru / Head of Nesta Cymru

Rob is Head of Nesta Cymru - responsible for the delivery of Nesta's strategy in Wales.

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