Innovation Ecosystems

Strengthening innovation ecosystems has been an area of interest for IDIA members since its inception in 2015. Over the years, IDIA has developed a common understanding of what an innovation ecosystem is, identifying typical actors, as well as strategies and challenges to strengthen an innovation ecosystem. 

In 2021 a working group was established with both IDIA members and innovation stakeholders from Africa, Asia and Latin America to investigate the most effective ways funders might support innovation ecosystems. 

This research builds on IDIA’s exploration of the agricultural ecosystem in Kenya in 2018, and the technology and innovation ecosystem of Vietnam the following year.  See the resulting Insight Guide: Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems which includes a simple framework to a simple framework to help organize ecosystem strengthening interventions based around nine goals.