UN Innovation Released Quarterly Innovation Update on Innovative Approaches to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Featuring UNCDF
UN Innovation released it’s special Covi-19 publication of the “Quarterly Innovation Review”. This special edition of the quarterly innovation update, highlights how UN Entities are leveraging innovative approaches to respond to the pandemic, featuring the UN Capital Development Fund.
The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) is an informal, collaborative network of UN Agencies interested in sharing and highlighting innovation projects, events, news and resources, to promote and advance innovation within the UN System.
The UN Capital Development Fund is mentioned throughout the publication, given the agency's innovative approach and response to Covid-19 - through the deployment of Apps, Digital Finance, supporting Member States, and through relevant communication materials, as Publications, Podcasts and Virtual Events.
Under Apps - UNCDF is supporting the deployment, awareness, and dissemination of a remote screening platform called DiagnoseMe to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic in Burkina Faso.
Digital Finance - UNCDF, working with UNDP and Better than CAsh Alliance, is bringing its expertise on responsible digital payments to help governments and partners introduce technology channels to pay emergency workers reliably and on time. Digital P2P (Person-to-Person) payments can help maintain social distancing and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Drawing on lessons learnt from digitising payments to Ebola response workers, the Better Than Cash Alliance is currently responding to requests from governments and corporate members to accelerate responsible digital transfer payments.
Supporting Member States - Security and privacy are essential for ensuring quality delivery of financial services. UNCDF supports regulators to implement requirements to protect new and existing users of digital services from poor security or fraudulent activities. It also supports regulators to identify and help financial institutions that have the farthest reach into vulnerable and rural populations; these include electronic money and microfinance institutions.
Publications, Podcasts and Virtual Events - UNCDF published a guidance note on implementing local innovative finance responses in days, rather than months and years. A complimentary podcast, explores what measured local governments can deploy to address finance challenges and rapidly fast-track the deployment of finance solutions to strengthen their Covid-19 response.
Read more on UNCDF's response to Covid-19, here.
