In October 2021, Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research participated in the 8th edition of Partos Innovation Festival, themed Navigating and Shaping the Future – innovation in development cooperation in pursuit of an inclusive, just and sustainable world. Rosebella Nyumba, together with representatives from other organizations was invited to talk about fresh perspectives on development cooperation. She made a presentation on Frugal Models of Development Cooperation, comparing two models:
- The Build and Transfer model (Based on Umande Trust Case study)
- The Self Organized Aid for Development. (Based on Mustard Seed, a CBO in Dandora, Kenya)
Festival Presentations
There were 5 panelists who were each given 3mins to present on emergent issues around divergent themes such as; data & digital, feminist & queer, community-led & inclusive financing. Among the panelists were Patrick Meier (Executive Director Werobotics), Pascalle Grontenhius Director of Social Development and Ambassador for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality at Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dumiso Gatsha; founder of Success Capital and Ishita Dutta from Voice.
To determine the presentation order, a wheel was spined, and panelists were randomly matched into two groups, this was to each establish convergence points within their presentations hence identifying possible shared solutions that could foster a sustainable, inclusive and a just future.
Fresh Perspectives
The different fresh perspectives that emerged after presentations by the discussants were;
- Decolonization of international development as it was noted that International Organizations monopolize international development maintaining a top-down approach to development.
- Government support for feminist leadership which forges gender social justice and inclusion is critical and is being adopted in the West.
- Decolonizing storytelling and recognizing that language matters as it determines how issues are framed and addressed in society.
Key Take-aways
- Inclusion is one of the major pathways to a more sustainable future.
- Frugal innovation recognizes capitalism for what it really is, as it manufactures aspects of inequality and meritocracy. With Frugal Innovation provides a platform for innovating under scarce resources hence solving social and economic challenges.
- Once we realize that right holders know best, we can push the boundaries for enhancing inclusion, hence establishing social change.