Human Development Innovation Fund
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| logo =
| type = NGO
| key_people =
| name = Human Development Innovation Fund
| founded_date = 2014
| founders = DFID, Palladium International, KPMG
| location_city = Dar es Salaam
| location_country = Tanzania
| origins =
| focus = Innovation, Education, Healthcare, WASH
| method = Grants
| revenue =
| endowment = GBP 40 million
| num_employees =
| owner =
| Non-profit_slogan =
| former name =
| homepage = {{URL|https://hdif-tz.org/}}
}}
The Human Development Innovation Fund (also known as HDIF or HDIFtz or the Human Development Impact Fund{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/24/16195442/zipline-zip-blood-medical-delivery-drones-rwanda-tanzania-keller-rinaudo|title=Blood-delivering drone company Zipline readies for launch in Tanzania|last=Goode|first=Lauren|date=2017-08-24|website=The Verge|access-date=2017-08-25}}{{cite web|url=https://siecledigital.fr/2017/08/24/zipline-la-societe-qui-livre-des-unites-de-sang-par-drones-sinstalle-en-tanzanie/|title=Zipline, la société qui livre des unités de sang par drones s'installe en Tanzanie|date=2017-08-24|website=Siècle Digital|access-date=2017-08-25}}) is a UKAid financed 40 million British Pound challenge fund providing grants to businesses, NGOs and research institutions for scaling innovations focused on the quality, value for money, and sustainability of basic services in education, health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).{{cite web|url=http://www.tanzaniatoday.co.tz/news/hdif-project-launched-at-costech|title=HDIF project launched at COSTECH|work=tanzaniatoday.co.tz}}{{cite web|url=http://hdif-tz.org|title=Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|work=hdif-tz.org}} HDIF was launched on May 12, 2014 with the support of the Vice President of Tanzania.{{cite web|url=http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=67782|title=Home|work=ippmedia.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ihi.or.tz/announ/hdifprojectlaunchedatcostech|title=HDIF project launched at COSTECH - Ifakara Health Institute - IHI|work=ihi.or.tz}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/launch-of-human-development-innovation-fund-hdif-for-tanzania|title=Launch of Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF) for Tanzania|work=gov.uk}}
Among other honors received, in 2019 HDIF won the British Expertise award for best "International Collaborative Project."{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/british-expertise-international/british-expertise-international-awards-2019-a9202e06ff7b|title=British Expertise International Awards 2019|author=British Expertise International|date=2019-04-18|website=Medium|access-date=2019-04-26}}
According to DFID's business case for establishing the fund, the intended outputs of HDIF are testing and use of new innovations to manage and deliver basic human development services and enhance the evidence base and innovation ecosystem in Tanzania.{{cite web|url=http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/projects/GB-1-203539/documents/|title=Development Tracker|work=dfid.gov.uk}} HDIF supports the innovation ecosystem and government's roles in science, technology, and innovation through collaborations with Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).{{cite web|url=http://hdif-tz.org/en/about-hdif/index|title=About HDIF - Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|work=hdif-tz.org|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301143917/http://www.hdif-tz.org/en/about-hdif/index|archivedate=2015-03-01}} File:GRMFuturesGroup HDIFLaunch1.jpg
Distinguishing factors of HDIF as a challenge fund include the long investment period compared to other challenge funds, which reflects the desired intent to scale early innovations.{{cite web |url=http://www.tripleline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Challenge-Funds-in-International-Development.pdf |title=Research paper |date=2013 |website=tripleline.com |access-date=2019-07-05 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208161408/http://www.tripleline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Challenge-Funds-in-International-Development.pdf |url-status=dead }}
HDIF closed on 31 July 2021 after more than seven years as a successful program. It is succeeded by the Funguo programme which was launched on 17 May 2021{{Cite web|title=European Union Tanzania's key partner in innovation, digitisation|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/european-union-tanzania-s-key-partner-in-innovation-digitisation-3409024|access-date=2021-07-22|website=The Citizen|language=en}} at the opening ceremony of Innovation Week 2021.
Innovation Week
In March 2015, HDIF curated the first annual Innovation Week in Tanzania, with open collaborative events on innovation and research, development, entrepreneurship, technology, and the arts.{{cite web |url=http://www.costech.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Innovation-Week-2015-Programme.pdf |title=Innovation week schedule |date=2015 |website=costech.or.tz |access-date=2019-07-05 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210657/http://www.costech.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Innovation-Week-2015-Programme.pdf |url-status=dead }} Collaborators in Innovation Week 2015 included KINU Innovation and Co-Creation Space, COSTECH, Ifakara Health Institute,{{cite web|url=http://www.ihi.or.tz/announ/innovativeresearchihifromconcepttocommercialization|title=Innovative research @ IHI: from concept to commercialization - Ifakara Health Institute - IHI|work=ihi.or.tz}} Buni Innovation Hub, Nafasi Art Space, Deloitte Consulting, Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development (IMED), Tanzania Renewable Energy Business Incubator (TAREBI), and Tanzania Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Centre (TECC).{{cite web|url=http://hdif-tz.org/en/posts/browse/events/innovation-week-2015-1|title=Innovation Week 2015 - Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|work=hdif-tz.org|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314000523/http://www.hdif-tz.org/en/posts/browse/events/innovation-week-2015-1|archivedate=2015-03-14}}
From March 13, 2016 to March 19, 2016, HDIF convened the 2nd Annual Innovation Week in collaboration with DFID, COSTECH, BUNI Innovation Hub, KINU Innovation Hub, Deloitte, Nafasi Art Space, TAREBI, TASEF, NALEDI, NjeVenture, Ifakara Health Institute, Sauna Safari, Embassy of Finland, Archipelago and Palladium International.{{Cite news|url=http://buni.or.tz/event/hdif-innovation-week/|title=HDIF INNOVATION WEEK (2016-03-13)|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704134912/http://buni.or.tz/event/hdif-innovation-week/|url-status=dead}}
A 3rd Annual Innovation Week took place from May 15–20, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/innovation-week|title=Innovation Week 2017 – Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|website=hdif-tz.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-25}} Participants in the event were "involved in creative storytelling, workshops for development, co-create an episode on innovation with Ubungo kids, listening to promising university's students led startups, explore research driven innovations by the Ifakara Health Institute and get an insight into development partner's donor funded approaches including the Principles for Digital Development."{{cite web|url=http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/business/50602-innovation-week-takes-place-in-dar|title=Innovation week takes place in Dar|last=Reporter|first=DAILY NEWS|website=dailynews.co.tz|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-08-25}}
The 4th annual Innovation Week took place from May 21-26, 2018 with the theme 'Innovation into Action'.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/2018/06/19/innovation-week-2018-is-here/|title=Thank you for making #IW2018 a success – Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-12}}
The 5th annual Innovation Week took place from March 25 - 29 2019 and was attended by over 2,000 people{{Cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/innovationweek19/|title=Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-12}} with the theme 'Scaling and Sustaining Innovation for Human Development'. Regional Innovation Week events were held in Arusha and Iringa.
Innovation Week 2020 was the 6th Innovation Week, the theme was 'Innovate for Impact' with the hashtags #Innovate4Impact and #IW2020. It took place from 8 - 13 March 2020 in Dar es Salaam and from 16 - 20 March Mbeya, Iringa, Stone Town (Zanzibar) Dodoma, and Arusha, some events were held online due to COVID-19. The full schedule of events can be found on https://www.timetickets.co.tz/iw2020dar .
Innovation Week Tanzania 2021 took place from 15 - 22 May 2021. Innovation Week 2022 is planned to be led by UNDP Tanzania through the Funguo Program.
Recognition
HDIF has received recognition from The Guardian, The African Prosperity Report launch by Legatum,{{cite web|url=http://governanceinnovation.org/wordpress/2015-africa-prosperity-summit-promoting-wealth-and-wellbeing/|title=2015 Africa Prosperity Summit: "Promoting Wealth and Wellbeing"|work=Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation}}{{cite web|url=http://www.li.com/events/2015-africa-prosperity-summit-promoting-wealth-and-wellbeing|title=2015 Africa Prosperity Summit: Promoting Wealth and Wellbeing|date=14 August 2015|work=Legatum Institute}} TanzICT,{{cite web|url=http://tanzict.or.tz/events/|title=Events|work=TANZICT|access-date=20 February 2015|archive-date=22 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152708/https://tanzict.or.tz/events/|url-status=dead}} the Minister of Communication, Science and Technology of Tanzania,{{cite web|url=http://www.the-report.net/tanzania/nov2014/1166-interview-professor-makame-mbarawa-minister-of-communications-science-and-technology|title=Interview Professor Makame Mbarawa, Minister of Communications, Science and Technology - The Report Company|author=Carlos Cañado Moya|work=the-report.net}} the Daily News,{{cite web|url=https://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/34051-innovator-worried-appeal-for-funding-yields-no-response|title=TSN : 404 - Page Not Found|website=dailynews.co.tz|access-date=2019-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705223333/https://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/34051-innovator-worried-appeal-for-funding-yields-no-response|archive-date=2019-07-05|url-status=dead}} and the Center for Education Innovations.{{cite web|url=http://www.educationinnovations.org/blog/kenya-education-forum-underscores-importance-collaboration-between-social-enterprises|title=Kenya Education Forum Underscores Importance of Collaboration Between Social Enterprises|work=educationinnovations.org}} In April 2019 HDIF won the British Expertise International Award for Best International Collaborative Project.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/british-expertise-international/british-expertise-international-awards-2019-a9202e06ff7b|title=British Expertise International Awards 2019|last=International|first=British Expertise|date=2019-04-18|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}
Innovations supported by HDIF have received global recognition, including the use of drones for delivery of emergency medical supplies,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38450664|title=Drone-based blood deliveries in Tanzania to be funded by UK|last=Kelion|first=Leo|date=2016-12-29|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-GB}} nanofilters using a unique local business approach,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32973591|title=Tanzanian low-cost water filter wins innovation prize|date=2015-06-02|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-GB}}{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/project/Taking-Water-Filters-NanofilterTM-from-the-Laboratory-to-the-Market?_esc=profileProjectCards&_sg=AcnSkaLXHnR8YQqI1Dj3tK-ZzLBerj4sNfWsMhSnV1IlW4nzjjyyfzsbiCk393iRoDjTghpejA44E8e2Y31InJOMMPeMxDZ1e89jJw5B6HU|title=Taking Water Filters (NanofilterTM) from the Laboratory to the Market by Askwar Hilonga - Research Project on ResearchGate|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-02-17}}{{cite web|url=http://gongalimodel.com/Water-Nanofilter.html|title=Water-Nanofilter|website=gongalimodel.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-17}} and rats used to detect TB.{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201608170275.html|title=Tanzania: Rat Researcher Redefining Early Disease Detection|date=2016-08-17|newspaper=The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)|access-date=2017-02-17}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/mar/05/heroic-giant-rats-sniff-out-landmines-in-tanzania|title='Heroic' giant rats sniff out landmines in Tanzania |date=5 March 2015 |access-date=11 September 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian|last1=Jones|first1=Sam}}
Portfolio
HDIF's portfolio consists of Initial Investments, Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3.{{cite web|url=http://hdif-tz.org/en/portfolio/portfolio|title=Portfolio - Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|work=hdif-tz.org|access-date=11 March 2015|archive-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502221604/http://www.hdif-tz.org/en/portfolio/portfolio|url-status=dead}} Additionally, HDIF launched the Mawazo Challenge in 2016 to support earlier stage ideas from Tanzanian youth to be prototyped and launched.{{cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/2016/10/28/mawazo-challenge-stage-2/|title=#MAWAZO CHALLENGE STAGE 2 – Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|access-date=2017-02-17}}{{Cite news|url=https://www2.fundsforngos.org/awards-and-prizes/applications-open-for-mawazo-challenge-2016-solving-community-problems/|title=Applications Open for Mawazo Challenge 2016: Solving Community Problems|date=2016-08-02|newspaper=FundsforNGOs|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thepalladiumgroup.com/who/news/Inspiring-youth-to-drive-Positive-Impact--the-Mawazo-Challenge|title=Palladium - Inspiring youth to drive Positive Impact – the Mawazo Challenge|website=thepalladiumgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-17}} Round 3 of funding launched on June 19, 2017, with submissions due on September 8, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/funding/hdif-round-3|title=HDIF Round 3|website=globalinnovationexchange.org|language=en|access-date=2017-08-25|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013403/https://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/funding/hdif-round-3|url-status=usurped}} A final round of Institutional Capacity Building grants were signed in early 2020.
As of 2019, HDIF's investments include:{{cite web|url=http://hdif-tz.org/en/awarding/awarding|title=Awarding - Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|work=hdif-tz.org|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315074646/http://hdif-tz.org/en/awarding/awarding|archivedate=2015-03-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/2016/03/14/hdif-round-2-winners-announced/|title=HDIF Round 2 Winners Announced – Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|access-date=2017-02-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hdif-tz.org/2018/06/20/hdif-welcomes-round-3-grantees/|title=HDIF Welcomes Round 3 Grantees! – Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF)|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-12}}
Partners
HDIF is funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) through UKAid,{{cite web|url=http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/projects/GB-1-203539/|title=Development Tracker|work=dfid.gov.uk}} managed by Palladium International (formerly known as GRM International) in consortium with KPMG, the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), Loughborough University, and Newcastle University.
References
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