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![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/innovation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/3016393-slide-spigit1.jpg\")
<\/dd>\n- \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Screenshot of the original UNHCR Ideas platform in 2013.<\/strong><\/em><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
Since the platform launched in August 2013, we’ve\u00a0had 7 Challenges that have gathered over 430 ideas and 2,500 comments. Recently we launched\u00a0the Social Media in Learning Challenge<\/a> with UNHCR’s Global Learning Centre.\u00a0The Challenge aims to identify how UNHCR’s Global Learning Centre\u00a0can better leverage social media in their training and learning programs. If you’re interested you can add your ideas until January 12th, 2016.<\/p>\n
So what happened to the ideas from our first Challenges? Below are three\u00a0updates on winning ideas that have been taken forward by UNHCR as prototypes over the past two years.<\/p>\n
Access to Information for Refugees Challenge<\/h2>\n
How can access to information and services provided by UNHCR and partners be improved for refugees and people of concern residing in urban areas?<\/i><\/p>\n
Help.unhcr.org<\/a> was selected as\u00a0the winning idea of the very first\u00a0UNHCR Ideas Challenge, which\u00a0addressed the need for better access to\u00a0information and services for refugees\u00a0and persons of concern in urban areas.\u00a0The idea proposes a simple, user-friendly,
\nand centrally maintained platform that\u00a0delivers information to persons of concern\u00a0about the services that are available to\u00a0them in the host country. The website\u00a0will comprise a wide variety of up-to-date\u00a0information on office location, services,\u00a0legal support, status determination, etc.,\u00a0based on their country of interest.\u00a0Following the selection of the winning\u00a0idea, multiple focus groups were held to\u00a0understand the needs and expectations\u00a0that persons of concern had for the\u00a0website.<\/p>\nThrough understanding the\u00a0desires of persons of concern in accessing\u00a0information, UNHCR developed a\u00a0collaborative approach where persons\u00a0of concern were involved in all stages\u00a0of the project design. Three website\u00a0designs were created and presented to\u00a0participants of the focus groups, who were\u00a0asked to rank them and provide feedback.\u00a0The most preferred design was selected in\u00a0July 2014, and reflected the opinion that\u00a0it was simple, easy to use, and intuitive for\u00a0users.<\/p>\n
UNHCR Costa Rica officially\u00a0launched the beta version\u00a0of help.unhcr.org\u00a0in March 2015, simultaneously with a\u00a0larger communications campaign<\/a> run by\u00a0UNHCR Innovation Fellow, Valentina\u00a0Duque<\/a>, Durable Solutions Associate based\u00a0in San Jose, Costa Rica. Help.unhcr.org\u00a0highlights the success of involving persons\u00a0of concern at all stages of the innovation\u00a0process – from the identification of the\u00a0challenge, to evaluation and the creation\u00a0of a user-centred solution.<\/p>\n
Now the operation is looking at ways to sustain, scale and improve the product with new innovative tools.<\/p>\n
One of the tools they’re testing is a\u00a0prototype of a stand-up tablet that will be placed at the borders of Costa Rica. An offline version of help.unhcr.org will be uploaded to the tablets to immediately provide refugees with reliable information on asylum claim procedures and support programs. Click here<\/a> for more information on the project and stay tuned for more updates.<\/p>\n
Language Barrier Challenge<\/h2>\n
How can better opportunities be provided for refugees to learn and use a new language, both in school and in their daily lives?<\/em><\/p>\n
In April 2014, we announced the winner of the Ikea Foundation sponsored Challenge focused on overcoming language barrier. The winning idea, “UNHCR Tablets for Education” proposes loading tablets with educational applications, videos and audio recordings to help children better interact with a second language.<\/p>\n
The effectiveness of utilizing tablets for\u00a0educational purposes in a refugee context\u00a0is currently being tested by the Learn Lab\u00a0through the Instant Network Schools<\/a>\u00a0and Ideas Box<\/a> programs. However, these\u00a0solutions do not directly focus on second\u00a0language acquisition. The winning idea\u00a0emphasizes language acquisition as an\u00a0essential tool in the orientation of refugees\u00a0to a new country, and will combine\u00a0blended learning between traditional\u00a0and information technology learning\u00a0opportunities.<\/p>\n
Prior to testing, UNHCR Innovation\u00a0and the Education Unit commissioned\u00a0a detailed review of available language\u00a0learning apps. We contracted Dr. Martha\u00a0Ferede to develop a report on the use\u00a0of Android tablets in refugee camps\u00a0and out-of-school contexts as tools to\u00a0support language learning and retention.\u00a0The idea was submitted by Ioannis\u00a0Papachristodoulou<\/a>, a Senior IT Assistant\u00a0based in Athens Greece. Ioannis will\u00a0develop the idea as a UNHCR Innovation\u00a0Fellow in 2015. He has so far identified\u00a0refugee transit centres and other potential\u00a0areas for testing.\u00a0UNHCR Innovation initiated\u00a0conversations with numerous partners\u00a0to identify assumptions for testing and\u00a0logistic models for application in the\u00a0refugee context.<\/p>\n
Greece was selected\u00a0as an initial testing site to provide the\u00a0opportunity for language acquisition\u00a0outside the traditional classroom model.\u00a0As the closest access point to Western\u00a0Europe, thousands of refugees travel to\u00a0Greece before asylum procedures can\u00a0be processed in neighboring countries or\u00a0regions. \u201cTablets for Education\u201d will be\u00a0delivered as a program for young refugees\u00a0and displaced persons at transit centres\u00a0where they begin the integration process\u00a0into Europe, and are eager to strengthen\u00a0their language skills.\u00a0The first prototype of \u201cTablets for\u00a0Education\u201d was tested\u00a0in Greece in\u00a02015,\u00a0while simultaneous testing within Instant\u00a0Network Schools will begin after the initial\u00a0test. Refinement and scaling of the \u201cTablets\u00a0for Education\u201d model will be aligned with\u00a0the continuation of Ioannis\u2019 Fellowship\u00a0project moving forward.<\/p>\n
#EducateGirls Challenge<\/h2>\n
How can we support communities and educators to overcome the challenges faced by adolescent girls in accessing education?<\/em><\/p>\n
“TIGER – These Inspiring Girls Are Reading<\/a>” was selected as the winning idea for the #EducateGirls Challenge in early 2015. The TIGER program empowers adolescent girls in the Za\u2019atari refugee camp in Jordan, many who are currently not in school, to improve their literacy and socials skills, and enabling many of them to complete their secondary education. Following extensive research by the Challenge sponsor, the Open Learning Exchange, Inc. (OLE), the OLE team recently traveled to the field to meet with implementing partners, and the community to discuss their idea.<\/p>\n
The pilot program was launched in November 2015 and\u00a0allows participating adolescent girls to enjoy access to a virtually unlimited library of open educational resources. \u00a0Since the winning idea was chosen, 11 Syrian women have been trained as Coaches and Tech Geniuses to lead the TIGER program and enroll girls within the camp. \u00a0The Za’atari refugee camp is\u00a0hosting six TIGER centers, each comprising of a Coach and Tech Genius, within multiple community centers.<\/p>\n
The TIGER program hopes to demonstrate and document the effectiveness of an innovative and community-based approach that will enable adolescent girls in the Za\u2019atari to increase their sense of agency, meaning and connection, and ultimately leading them to complete at least their secondary education.<\/p>\n
The approach\u00a0is based on strong local leadership, open education resources, continuous user feedback and the consideration of local capacities to create self-sustainable learning. TIGER will continue to be tested\u00a0and refined over the coming months, with the hopes that the pilot will move to a sustainable solution beyond this first year.<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: UNHCR\/B. Sokol<\/p>\n
We\u2019re always looking for great stories, ideas, and opinions on innovations that are led by or create \u00a0impact for refugees. If you have one to share with us send us an email at\u00a0innovation@unhcr.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
- \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Screenshot of the original UNHCR Ideas platform in 2013.<\/strong><\/em><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n