We are convinced that crisis-affected people can indeed resolve many of the humanitarian challenges they face. A focus on human centered approaches that tap into the ideas, skills, talents, and aspirations of crisis-affected communities, can create the environment needed to give vulnerable people a voice in- and contribute to humanitarian innovation. Through this challenge we would like to complement ‘top down and high-tech’ solutions with concomitant innovative solutions from the ground, embraced by those actors closest to this challenge. 

In the Mozambican flood risk context, there are many domains that could still be improved or considered. Together we could develop an innovative solution, by redesigning, reimagining and rethinking existing and new ideas. Below some inspiration is given: Mozambique has its
own early warning system in place to help the people and government to anticipate flood situations and take precautionary actions accordingly. During cyclone Idai the early warning systems were in place, however still proved to be insufficiently effective to help protect people at risk, their homes and livelihoods. There are several reasons to why the early warning system was insufficient in Beira in 2019. This could be your starting point for the living with floods challenge. 
The current drainage system in many communities in and around Beira proofs to be insufficient to drain water effectively. During periods of intense rainfall large parts of communities are flooded because the drainage system is poorly maintained, capacity is insufficient, or drains are clogged. The construction of extra storage facilities, the improvement of the current drainage system or the incorporation of green infrastructural components to the city of Beira are all opportunities to look into for this challenge. 
We invite you to redesign, reimagine and rethink these specific aspects with us. Besides these two suggestions we are also interested in ideas coming from a different angle, aimed more at the people living in or around Beira and taking into consideration their situation; Overall living conditions are generally very basic with poor urban infrastructure and poor service delivery, e.g. drainage, sewage, drinking water, but also about electricity, network coverage, access to schools and health posts. These all connect to the ‘idea space’ for this challenge. Hence, if you have a brilliant idea of for example how to improve the health services related to flooding, how to help flood warnings reach the most isolated people, help them to find evacuation routes or protect their assets when the flood is imminent, do reach us to us with your idea. 
As you can see, the challenge is big and includes many dimensions and points of entry. The ideas given above are only meant to give you some food for thought, and are by no means the preferred path. 

Relates to those processes of dispersive urban growth that create hybrid landscapes of fragmented urban and rural characteristics.

In the context of this project, to act means that crisis-affected people are skilled and resourced to develop and implement locally-driven humanitarian solutions to address flood risks they identify in their local communities. The focus is on the ability of flood-affected communities to take precautionary measures; What can be done before a flood and when a flood is imminent.  

The ability of a community to: 
comprehend its vulnerability to disasters and crises, whether natural or man-made, and their potential impact on a community;
take preventive/protective action against the negative impacts of disasters and crises;
strengthen and build upon its own capacities to address the consequences of disasters and crises.

Besides the check-ins and the Roundabout sessions, we will provide regular updates during the ideation phase and the phases thereafter. A more detailed plan is currently being developed and will be shared on the 14 October latest.
The programme team provides information on the DCHI webpage and LinkedInpage. You can contact the team via livingwithfloods@redcross.nl

In line with the open innovation principles, we believe value can be created through the open innovation process by inclusion of a variety of key assets, resources or positions brought in by the different partners committed to piloting a top idea. Here we seek to meet the common needs identified previously with capacities brought in by the collective innovation partners, and complement these where needed.

Each partner connected to a top idea will bring in certain assets and capacities to innovate, and will also have specific needs to create the environment required to innovate. Hence, related to each idea, we would like to have an open dialogue on these needs, map these and find ways to fill gaps. Beyond our commonly determined needs, each separate partner may have specific internal requirements that need to be met at this stage, for example an integrity check may be needed, and organisations may need to check on how to deal with intellectual accomplishments. Also, we would like to align our communication needs and plans in order to get the best out of this challenge process. The overall aim for this stage is to have an aligned vision of how to create value and impact together in the local context.

Indeed. We aim to help you to improve your idea through the check-in moments and during the Roundabout session. We understand you would like to reimagine your idea and share this with us again. Therefore, throughout the full ideation phase you will have the opportunity to upload an updated and improved submission form at any given time until the final date. Note, when you upload an updated version, the previously submitted forms will no longer be valid.

We offer you two important ways of getting in touch:
As of Wednesday the 14 October 2020, we will be organising weekly check-ins. During these 1.5 hours sessions we will be going through three topics:
Quick update of your idea: Each partner will get 3 minutes to share your idea with the participants in the call.
General questions: The design team will answer your general questions in plenary during this time slot. This will close the plenary part of the check-in.
Specific questions: Partners can subscribe to a one on one session with the design team. There is only limited space each week.
Please note, there are only a limited number of spaces available every week. Any general and specific questions you may have to the team should be submitted beforehand through livingwithfloods@redcross.nl.
The check-ins will be organised through Microsoft Teams.
Roundabout session: On 29 October 2020 we will be organising a virtual session during ImpactFest 2020 for all partners who are interested in the challenge and who might already started their submission and ideation process. But it is also open for all other interested parties. The aim of the session is to collaboratively fine tune the ideas and find valorisation and localisation with each other and key speakers of renown organisations. There is limited space available for this session, so make sure you subscribe on time here.

We are convinced that crisis-affected people can indeed resolve many of the humanitarian challenges they face. A focus on human centered approaches that tap into the ideas, skills, talents, and aspirations of crisis-affected communities, can create the environment needed to give vulnerable people a voice in- and contribute to humanitarian innovation. Through this challenge we would like to complement ‘top down and high-tech’ solutions with concomitant innovative solutions from the ground, embraced by those actors closest to this challenge.

The use of purposive inflows and outflows of knowledge to accelerate internal innovation, and expand the markets for external use of innovation. Companies can commercialise internal ideas through channels outside of their current businesses in order to generate value for the organisation: examples include spinoff/ start-ups companies and licensing agreements. In addition, ideas can also originate outside the firm’s own labs and be brought inside for commercialisation.

It is important that we take the time to truly understand the needs of people living with floods and that we explore together how we can address problems faced by communities in the most appropriate way, and explore and embrace appropriate ideas and products/ services that come from within the community as well as from outside. DCHI and NLRC are passionate about the challenge Living with Floods, and are eager to tap into the brightest minds outside of our organisation to bring the challenge further and create impact. We believe this is best done by taking a human-centered design approach as done through Open Innovation.