Innovation Fund

CEPA’s “Innovation Fund” was set up in 2005 to encourage initiatives that adopt an original approach to addressing the issue of poverty. Up until 2015, over 40 innovative projects were funded andwere financed through a 2% contribution from CEPA’s annual service fees.Each year, five projects were granted Rs. 500,000.00 for the initiative.

The Innovation Fund created the platform for CEPA to move out of its core research based programmes and services and to work with a cross section of stakeholders in selecting, supporting and monitoring innovative initiatives that address poverty. However, CEPA has not been able to fund initiatives since 2016 due to lack of required financial resources.

Sub Objectives

• To link up with persons, networks and organizations working in the field of poverty.
• To increase outreach and knowledge of issues (tools, ground realities and approaches) related to poverty.
• To provide a platform for visibility and successful innovation for poverty reduction.

What is Innovation?

The definition of innovation includes creative, catalytic, exploratory and experimental.  Innovation could be applied at various points of the project/research process from conceptualisation, methodology to presentation modes of outcomes or lessons learnt. The initiatives use a range or sometimes a combination of methods in implementation. Previous initiatives have used research studies, seminars, audio visual productions, street theatre and fine arts.

Striking an optimal balance between innovation and feasibility has proven to be a continuous challenge for CEPA in terms of selection. In spite of this, completed initiatives have been successful in applying innovative approaches to problem identification, analysis and development of solutions and have contributed to the broad operational definition.

The Process

The Fund is advertised annually in Sinhala, Tamil and English newspapers and mailed directly to partner organisations, academic institutes and CBOs. Proposal writing guidelines are sent to all the parties that show an interest in the fund or they can be downloaded from the CEPA website.

A selection committee reviews the proposals received and shortlisted proposals are presented to a forum comprising client representatives, resource persons, previous grantees and CEPA staff. Proposals are selected according to some core parameters: innovation, feasibility, poverty focus, methodology, target population and outcomes.  A designated staff team maintains a continuous collaboration with the project implementers, and monitors the projects through on site, mid and end term assessments, review of quarterly reports and progress updates submitted by the projects. CEPA maintains continuous links with the institutions supported through the Fund over the years to facilitate networking and knowledge sharing.