6 Boards

Innovation under pressure

In an era marked by protracted crises—ranging from violent conflict and political upheaval to economic collapse and environmental disasters—development models must evolve to remain relevant and effective. The UNDP Accelerator Labs (AccLabs) have emerged as a pioneering force in this transformation, embedding research and development (R&D) practices into the heart of crisis response. These labs promote an experimentation mindset—one that embraces uncertainty, values iterative learning, and centers community knowledge—to co-create solutions where traditional interventions often fall short.

Accelerator Labs are currently operating in 70% of countries identified as crisis settings, representing a significant presence in fragile environments. Notably, 23% of all AccLab capacity is embedded in crisis-affected countries, with half of them located in Africa and the Middle East. This distribution underscores the growing recognition that innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity in fragile contexts where conventional approaches break down.

The Accelerator Labs’ engagement begins with fostering a culture of experimentation and learning—mobilizing governments, communities, and local ecosystems to prototype solutions in volatile environments. Through methodologies like systems thinking, ethnographic research, and rapid prototyping, the Labs nurture resilience by exploring what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

Frontlines of Innovation: Thematic Pathways Shaping R&D in Crisis Settings

This research document explores how R&D is applied in crisis settings by the Accelerator Labs, and is organized around six thematic clusters that reflect both the priorities of local communities and the broader development challenges accelerated by crisis. All thematic areas explored in this research are interconnected threads woven into the broader pursuit of resilience and adaptive development in crisis-affected settings. Whether addressing energy innovation, urban systems, social cohesion, or digital inclusion, these themes reflect how the Accelerator Labs navigate the complexities of fragile environments. Crucially, each thematic focus stems from a foundational shift: promoting a culture of Research and Development (R&D) that embraces experimentation, grassroots intelligence, and learning-by-doing.

This shift is not incidental. In the absence of stable systems, the Labs fostered new ways of listening, testing, and adapting—creating local intelligence cycles that help communities co-develop fit-for-context solutions. The thematic areas that emerged were not pre-imposed, but surfaced organically through bottom-up exploration and continuous sensemaking. Importantly, no theme stands alone: food security links with governance, digital innovation supports social cohesion, and waste systems shape urban resilience. This interdependence reinforces the Labs’ belief that R&D in crisis settings is a systems challenge—requiring agility, contextual depth, and above all, a culture open to experimentation.

Sustaining Life Systems in Crisis. (Water management, biodiversity and food security, and new energy sources) Tackling environmental degradation and ensuring access to basic resources.
Reclaiming Civic Space (Local governance, social justice, and social cohesion) Supporting the restoration of civic trust and participatory governance.
Crisis-Digital Nexus. (Digital transformation as an enabler for financial inclusion, education and public services) Enabling equity through low-cost, context-sensitive technology.
Unlocking Informal Economies in Crisis. (Entrepreneurship, informal economy, and sustainable tourism) Enhancing livelihoods in the absence of formal markets.
Crisis Adaptive Urbans. (Urban resilience, waste management, informal housing and human mobility) Innovating where public systems collapse and community systems rise.
Fostering Experimentation and a Learning Mindset in Crisis Response. (Promoting R&D culture) Building adaptive capacities that thrive on local insight and experimentation.

Full List of Boards in this Collection

Adaptive Urban Futures

In crisis-affected environments, the Accelerator Labs have focused on urban resilience by addressing the interconnected challenges of waste management, informal housing, and human mobility. These urba…

214 Items

Sustaining Life Systems in Crisis

In crisis-affected settings, where institutional collapse and environmental degradation intersect, the Accelerator Labs have engaged in R&D initiatives that address the urgent need for sustainable…

158 Items

Unlocking Informal Economies in Crisis

In crisis-affected contexts, where formal economic systems are often weakened or disrupted, the Accelerator Labs have focused R&D efforts on strengthening resilient livelihoods through entrepreneu…

124 Items

Crisis-Digital Nexus

In crisis-affected settings where institutional infrastructure is weakened or absent, digital transformation has emerged as a critical enabler for expanding access to financial services, education, an…

77 Items

Reclaiming Civic Space

In crisis settings where governance systems are weakened or fractured, the Accelerator Labs have focused their R&D efforts on restoring trust, rebuilding civic infrastructure, and fostering inclus…

66 Items

Fostering Experimentation and a Learning Mindset in Crisis Response

In crisis-affected settings, the Accelerator Labs have worked to embed a culture of research and experimentation within institutions, communities, and local ecosystems. This approach recognizes that t…

49 Items

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