For this Inclusive Innovation Guide we have chosen 5 Themes that we think are essential to consider when you are trying to do inclusive innovation:
- Awareness and Learning
- Policy and Strategy
- Community Engagement
- Gathering Evidence
- Funding and Resources
The methods and case studies in this guide are organised under these themes. But some could apply to more than one theme.
You can also think of inclusive innovation according to 3 principles.
Awareness and Learning
Improving your inclusive innovation skills is a journey from awareness, to practice, to sharing more widely.
You need to cultivate an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles throughout your organisation. To understand where gaps and bias exist.
Given the wide range of people and planetary perspectives to consider – everyone can benefit from continuous awareness-building, learning, and training programs.
Policy and Strategy
Developing and implementing inclusive policies and strategies requires looking at the big picture with inclusivity in mind.
Inclusive policies promote equitable access to resources and opportunities for everyone, including under-served and marginalised communities.
Effective implementation of Policy and Strategy needs measurable goals, accountability, and regular reviews to adapt to changing circumstances.
Community Engagement
To make sure that innovation includes your diverse communities and responds to their needs, you need to engage and involve a fair range of people in planning, designing and delivering policies, services and products that affect their lives.
You can facilitate engagement through partnerships, collaborations, and community outreach programs.
Meaningful engagement fosters trust which leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
Gathering Evidence
To make sound decisions, you should collect and analyse data with those affected, and monitor the impact your innovations are having.
Regular impact assessments and evidence-based approaches can help make sure innovations benefit everyone, especially marginalised groups.
Research should focus on inclusion, and the needs of people, communities, places and the planet to create clear metrics to measure progress and outcomes.
Funding and Resources
To do inclusive innovation often takes money, as well as a number of other resources.
The time people commit to a project, the natural resources something depends upon, and the technology or infrastructure used – are all inputs to inclusive innovation that need to be considered.
Ideally initiatives that promote inclusivity and equity are able to attract funding and resources or have them allocated. This will give communities the access to the tools and support they need to get involved in and benefit from innovation.
Index
Awareness and Learning
Methods:
- Inclusive personas
- Building a community of practice
- 10 tips for accessible communication
- Inclusive communication
Case Studies:
- Awareness and learning for inclusive innovation at Transport for London
- Promoting inclusive innovation and growth in Southeast Asian nations
Policy and Strategy
Methods:
Case Studies:
Community Engagement
Methods:
- Working with your community to co-plan, co-design and co-deliver
- Running accessible engagement events
- Finding and building a network
- Planning and organising an engagement event
- Facilitating an engagement event
- Story Cube for starting inclusive innovation conversations
Case Studies:
- Engagement in action – Bangkok’s Circular Design Lab
- Planning for a fair transition to net zero at Toynbee Hall
- Outcomes and impact – the #Right2CleanAir Road Show
Gathering Evidence
Methods:
- Logic model toolkit
- Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool
- Planning a research interview
- Conducting a research interview
- Group interviews
Case Studies:
Funding and Resources
Methods:
- Activate your local entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Understand and map resources in your local ecosystem, communities and ecologies
Case Studies: