Innovation Fund update
At the beginning of May 2012 Sightsavers launched the second round of the Innovation Fund. The Innovation Fund was open to submissions for six weeks, closing 30 June, and provided the opportunity to receive up to £75,000 of funding to implement each successful project.
Open to NGOs, academic institutions, the private sector and disabled people’s organisations, applicants were asked to submit proposals which addressed one of the key implementation challenges that had been identified in Sightsavers’ programme areas of Eye Health, Inclusive Education and Social Inclusion.
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for International Development at the UK Department for International Development, said: "This fund offers an excellent chance for charities, academic institutions and businesses to work together and find innovative solutions to health or disability problems. I'm thrilled so many organisations are taking advantage of this opportunity and look forward to seeing the results - especially if they can be used later to address other health or disability challenges."
The process
In total 477 proposals were received from a wide variety of organisations and countries, worth a total of £46,457,217 in funding for innovative solutions to development challenges. Below are some interesting charts showing the breadth of the applications to the innovation fund.
The overwhelming majority of applications came from NGOs, either implementing projects themselves or working with partners in-country to implement.
There was a surprisingly even spread of applications across the challenge areas of eye health, inclusive education and social inclusion. A small number of applications were submitted attempting to address more than one theme.
Proposals were submitted to implement projects across a wide range of countries in every region of the world, but the majority of proposals received were applying to implement projects in East Africa.
The Appraisal
A four stage review process was carried out to select successful proposals. On 17 July a panel of external judges met to review the shortlisted proposals and to choose their favourites in each theme of Eye Health, Inclusive Education and Social Inclusion.
13 proposals were provisionally selected to receive funding and they were then required to participate in a rigorous due diligence process which looked at organisational governance, financial status and viability, as well as systems, processes and policies currently in place.
The successful applicants!
Contracts have now been signed and we are pleased to announce the names of the successful organisations and brief details of the innovative projects they will be implementing over the next 18 months. Click below for further details!
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