Driving Innovation from the Field: Insights from the World Food Programme (WFP) Global Innovation Workshop in Kampala
By Miranda Stobbs
Fostering a culture of innovation throughout WFP not only paves the way for transformative solutions but also ensures that the organization can adapt to emerging challenges and maximize its operational efficiency and impact on global hunger relief.
Empowering teams, embracing user-centered approaches, sharing knowledge and lessons learned and forging cross-sector collaboration were therefore central to the Global Innovation Network Annual Workshop, held in Kampala, Uganda last month. The event convened a diverse group of WFP innovators from various levels to propel forward scalable solutions for zero hunger. Hosted by the WFP Uganda office and organized with the Regional Bureaus of Eastern Africa and Panama and the WFP Innovation Accelerator, this four-day event focused on implementing WFP’s crucial Innovation Strategy and fostering field-driven innovation.
With robust representation from country offices in Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Peru, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Regional Bureaus from Nairobi, Dakar and Panama, as well as the WFP Innovation Accelerator, this gathering provided a unique opportunity to explore new tools and methodologies, share insights and build collaborative approaches to innovation across all WFP levels, inspiring the next generation of WFP leaders. Here’s a look at the journey that unfolded.
Sharing Success and Lessons Learned
The workshop kicked off with roundtable discussions that highlighted the unique paths each office has taken in its innovation journey and lessons learned over the past year. Each region presented updates and success stories that underscored the importance of organizational agility, adaptability and continuous learning.
Significant achievements within the WFP Innovation Network over the past year include the WFP Innovation Database, an innovation search engine that provides information on all WFP innovation projects, people and knowledge and second, the WFP Innovators’ Playbook which offers field-tested tools, templates and strategies based on the practical experience of WFP’s innovation teams.
Alex Robayo, deputy country director for WFP Peru, highlighted the dynamic nature of the discussions: “These updates revealed not only growth but also the diversity of innovation, showing how different regions have harnessed creativity and problem-solving to challenge the status quo and drive greater efficiency and effectiveness.”
Learning from Uganda’s Innovation Ecosystem
Participants took to the field to experience Uganda’s thriving start-up ecosystem firsthand, engaging with local partners who are crucial to driving innovation on the ground. Visits to local solutions included ventures from the Ignite Venture Innovation Challenge, Urban Green Farms (an agritech aquaponics initiative), Makerere University’s Innovation Pod and the Food Technology Incubation Center. These interactions provided firsthand exposure to successful agrifood initiatives, illuminated local challenges and highlighted impactful solutions from Uganda’s innovation landscape, further inspiring participants to think about scalable models and local adaptability. Badre Bahaji, Innovation and Communication Advisor from the Uganda Country Office, emphasized, ‘The visit highlighted the vital role of a local ecosystem approach, collaborating with partners like government, academia, and the private sector, as well as other UN agencies, to drive impactful innovation and underscore the value of local insights in shaping responsive innovations.
Focusing on People, Processes, and Partnerships
Discussions centred around the people, processes, partnerships and funding essential for sustaining innovation at WFP. Participants explored the enablers, barriers, assumptions and gaps that exist in each area and reiterated how essential it is to adapt innovation to different local contexts and needs. Workshop sessions examined the upcoming WFP Innovation Strategy through the lens of these factors, aiming to develop frameworks that optimize resource use and increase organizational scalability. Participants mapped strategic priorities, identified critical areas to enable the strategy and outlined ways funding and partnerships can maximize the impact of WFP’s work on the ground.
Emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives, Emmalee Knape, head of innovation at the Regional Bureau Nairobi added “Input from WFP country offices highlighted both shared objectives and unique challenges, helping us shape a collaborative roadmap across all levels of WFP with clear, actionable next steps”.
Defining an Implementation Roadmap through 2025
The workshop culminated in the creation of an implementation roadmap to foster Innovation at WFP.
Reflections on the Journey
Three key themes emerged from the workshop.
- Rapid learning and knowledge sharing: By openly discussing lessons learned and adapting swiftly, WFP can enhance its strategies and strengthen its collective knowledge. The goal is to embed these practices widely, allowing every team member to integrate new insights rapidly into their work, thus speeding up innovation and effectiveness organization wide.
- Insights and Realities: Recognizing the varied stages of innovation across different regions, from highly developed innovation hubs to country offices still in the early stages of building in-situ capacity, enables WFP to tailor support in ways that are meaningful, sustainable and grounded in local realities.
- Building Community: With 35 dedicated participants, the workshop underscored the power of human connection, co-creation and demonstrated the value of community-building within WFP.
Sandra Raad, head of the WFP Innovation Network, expressed her enthusiasm for the journey ahead: “The WFP Innovation Network is excited to drive real impact for the people WFP serves and foster a culture of innovation within the organization. The insights gained and shared sense of purpose and collaboration are key to driving innovation forward at WFP.”
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Learn about the highlights of WFP Innovation Accelerator’s programmes and activities in its Year in Review 2023.
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