Innovation for Impact & Ecosystems

WHAT WE MEAN BY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS

A network that turns ideas into impact

An innovation ecosystem is more than just a group of people. It's a connected system of individuals, organisations, resources and policies that work together to generate, share and apply knowledge for better health.

Diverse actors

Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, communities, technologists.

Collaborative relationships

Trust, shared goals, and active exchange of knowledge and resources.

Enabling infrastructure

Platforms, tools, funding mechanisms, and policies that support innovation.

Pathways to scale

Clear routes from pilot to widespread adoption and sustainable impact.

An innovation ecosystem is the sum of all the relationships, capabilities and resources that enable ideas to become solutions that reach people.

OUR APPROACH

How we build and strengthen innovation ecosystems

We don't just talk about ecosystems — we actively cultivate them through intentional, practical actions.

1. Connect the right actors

We bring together diverse stakeholders — from county health departments to local tech hubs — who might not otherwise collaborate. We identify gaps in the network and intentionally bridge them.

Stakeholder mapping and network analysis
Convenings, workshops and innovation forums
Brokerage: introducing the right people to each other

2. Build local capacity

We invest in training, mentorship and peer learning so that local actors can lead and sustain innovation efforts long after we step back.

Skills development in implementation science
Mentorship for emerging innovators
Community of practice for health innovators

3. Facilitate knowledge exchange

We create spaces — physical and virtual — for peer learning, cross‑pollination of ideas and sharing what works and what doesn't.

Learning sessions and knowledge cafés
Digital platforms for sharing evidence and updates
Peer-to-peer visits and exchanges

4. Support pathways to scale

We help promising innovations navigate the journey from pilot to scale by connecting them with the right partners, resources and policy support.

Scale‑up readiness assessments
Partnership brokering with government and funders
Implementation support and quality improvement

THE INNOVATION PATHWAY

From idea to impact — a structured journey

We guide innovations through a clear, evidence‑informed pathway. Each step builds on the previous one, ensuring solutions are practical, effective and ready for the real world.

💡 Idea

Capture & prioritise

🔍 Evidence

Synthesis & review

✏️ Design

Co‑create & prototype

🧪 Pilot

Test & evaluate

📈 Scale

Expand & sustain

❤️ Impact

Community benefit

1. Idea capture

We actively listen to communities, health workers and researchers to identify promising ideas that address pressing health challenges.

2. Evidence synthesis

We conduct systematic and scoping reviews to map existing interventions, identify proven strategies and uncover evidence gaps.

3. Co‑design & prototype

We work with end‑users to refine the idea, develop a prototype and test it in a small‑scale setting to gather early feedback.

4. Pilot & evaluate

We implement the solution in a real‑world context, collect data on its performance, and assess effectiveness and acceptability.

5. Scale & sustain

When a solution proves effective, we work with partners to expand its reach, build local capacity and secure resources for long‑term sustainability.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Innovations in progress

These are active initiatives built on evidence reviews and co‑design with communities and partners.

AI‑assisted triage for outpatient clinics

A scoping review identified that predictive algorithms can reduce waiting times by 30‑40% in high‑volume clinics. We are piloting a machine learning model using routine health data to prioritise patients based on risk.

Review: 14 studies from LMICs
Partner: Two county referral hospitals
Status: Pilot phase (4 months)

Digital community health worker (CHW) tool

A systematic review of CHW digital tools showed improved data quality and decision‑making. We are co‑designing a tablet‑based application that supports CHWs with guidelines, stock management, and supervision.

Review: 22 studies, 6 countries
Partner: Kenya Ministry of Health
Status: Prototyping with CHWs

Mental health peer support platform

Evidence from a realist review indicated that peer‑led interventions are acceptable in community settings. We are developing a mobile platform that connects peer supporters with individuals experiencing mild‑to‑moderate distress.

Review: Realist synthesis of 18 papers
Partner: Mental health NGOs
Status: Co‑design workshops

OUR NETWORK

Who makes up our innovation ecosystem

Our ecosystem is diverse and growing. We work with partners across sectors who share our commitment to evidence‑driven health innovation.

County health departments

Research institutions

Technology & innovation hubs

Community‑based organisations

Development partners

Health practitioners & frontline workers

Policymakers & regulators

Implementation science experts

And we're always growing — if you'd like to join, let's talk.

WHY PARTNER WITH UWRA

A credible partner for evidence‑to‑action innovation

Governments, universities, NGOs, and donors trust us to deliver tangible results through our innovation ecosystem approach.

Translate Evidence

We turn complex research into actionable recommendations for policy and practice. Our systematic reviews and evidence syntheses are rigorous and context‑sensitive.

Scientific Excellence

Rigorous research and implementation science grounded in local realities. We follow international standards and adapt them to the Kenyan context.

Community Partnership

We work alongside communities, ensuring solutions are culturally appropriate, acceptable and sustainable. Community members are co‑creators, not just beneficiaries.

Implementation Science

We study what works in real‑world settings to scale effective interventions. Our work is informed by frameworks like RE‑AIM, CFIR and Normalization Process Theory.

Policy Influence

Our evidence shapes national and regional health policies and strategies. We have direct engagement with county and national government departments.

Capacity Strengthening

We invest in training and mentorship to build a lasting research and innovation ecosystem. Our fellowships and masterclasses develop the next generation of health innovators.