The HIPpening

Through this three-day event, developed by HIP in collaboration with ThinkPlace Kenya, we aim to strengthen the capacity of HIP projects through peer learning, expert insights, and creative problem-solving. Join us to build meaningful connections across projects, partners, and regions, enabling your team to discover collaborations that unlock stronger outcomes and create synergies across the HIP ecosystem. The program blends interactive workshops, thematic learning labs, and candid conversations about what works and what doesn’t in humanitarian innovation.

We will continue to update the agenda below as the event takes shape

The opening day of the HIPpening is all about connection and collective peer learning. We start with registration and a warm welcome, followed by a keynote that sets the tone for three days of collaboration and creativity. The morning kicks off with HIP-HOPs, a speed-dating session designed to spark early connections among project teams. After a short tea break, participants dive into Learning Labs, peer-to-peer exchanges focused on green response, food security, protection, health, and innovative financing. Lunch provides time to recharge before the afternoon’s selection of workshops, where you can choose between workshops on business modelling, user-centered design and local ownership, and systems thinking. The day wraps up with a joint plenary to surface shared learnings, followed by HIP Happy Hour, an informal space for networking and lawn games.

Day two focuses on capacity building and creativity. The morning starts with a recap and icebreaker before moving into the Circles of Failure, sessions where innovators are given the space to candidly share what didn’t work and how we can learn from failures. After a tea break, participants can book Expert Office Hours to workshop their project with an expert within areas such as business modelling, financial modelling, user-centric design, measuring impact and pitch-training. Following lunch, the afternoon features a selection of workshops on critical topics: innovation-friendly procurement, measuring the impact of innovation, and attracting private funding for financial sustainability. The day concludes with lawn games and tea, leading into dinner and entertainment, celebrating the diversity and creativity of the HIP community.

The final day of the HIPpening shifts the focus to visibility and collaboration with a wider audience. We begin with a welcome and keynote framing the day. We will have a Humanitarian Innovation Showcase, where a selection of HIP-projects present their solutions to peers, partners, investors and other external stakeholders. After a short break, participants gather for a fireside chat and panel discussion, diving into critical questions about partnerships, financing, and the future of humanitarian innovation. Lunch offers time for networking and reflection before the afternoon’s collaborative problem-solving session, designed to tackle real-world challenges through co-creation. The program concludes at 16:00.