Through the accelerator lab journey, following are the major learning/ insights generated: 1. Multi-stakeholder engagement and partnerships: The effective scaling and sustaining of initiatives requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including local governments, the private sector, and academia. It was learned that engaging these stakeholders maximized resources, complemented project interventions and institutionalized initiatives beyond UNDP. Though Accelerator lab in Nepal had signed multiple MOUs with the LGs for their ownership and project sustainability, we learnt that signing a tripartite agreement among AccLab, local governments, and tech partners at the outset could have further streamlined and expanded technological implementation beyond project period.  2. Inclusivity and public-private partnerships (PPPs): Expanding the reach of AccLab's initiatives and securing necessary resources for scaling and sustainability were achieved through inclusive practices, co-designing of Green Transition Portfolio between UNDP and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City and PPPs. Engagement with the private sector was particularly beneficial, as it built confidence, generated resources through corporate social responsibility, and fostered a synergetic mindset. 3. Pre-feasibility studies and transitioning from exploration to idea testing to portfolio development: Conducting pre-feasibility studies to identify specific business opportunities is vital for establishing a solid foundation for technology, innovation, and digital transformation. AccLab’s culture of exploration, research and development, and creativity helped to identify and implement tailored solutions effectively. Data-driven decision-making and experimental models were crucial in identifying gaps, testing innovations, and scaling successful initiatives. Focusing on developing local skills and knowledge is key to the sustainability and long-term success of initiatives. This includes turning an R&D study on plastic waste to upcycling opportunities to large-scale portfolio development on Green Transition in Nepal. 4. Youth empowerment and skills development: Supporting innovative startups is important for job creation. The project has been able to empower youth through skills development trainings, innovation challenges and hackathons. We have also learnt that programs designed to actively involve youth, women and marginalized groups in both planning and implementation have been effective in addressing the specific local needs as well as achieving better results. Initiatives designed to engage youths and school students added value by encouraging technological innovation. This included school-based innovation-hub programs which were effective in disseminating the benefits of technology to the wider community through students' contributing to social and behavioral change. 5. Resource and time intensification: The success of innovations largely depends on the focused allocation of resources and time to small, concentrated areas. Successful solutions can only be scaled up or replicated elsewhere if they are first turned into models. In addition, working with a limited but focused set of partners and resources in focused areas yielded better results than working with many partners in many scattered areas.

Multiple handover mechanisms have been applied for different interventions: 1. Local interventions and tested technologies: Accelerator Lab in Nepal has handed over each demonstration models, technologies (machineries) and prototypes to the respective local governments during the closing of each intervention.  2. Tested Ideas and Interventions: All the tested new ideas, prototypes and innovations have been open sourced and handed over to the enterprises for marketing and product expansion. Multiple learning and sharing events and COP have been conducted to share the thematic results of Acclab along with connecting partners, private sectors and service providers to the ongoing relevant country office projects for programmatic linkages and potential scale up. 

Getting Unstuck: Communities and Governments Drive Innovation for Transformative Change | United Nations Development Programme

Since we have been handing over our interventions, we believed consultative workshop and learning sharing sessions would benefit multiple projects and stakeholders throughout the handover processes. 

It was essential to apply the above method so that the participants could connect with the ideas and are also able to visualize the importance of our interventions to solve complex issues; and how these interventions and new ideas can be linked to their ongoing programs.