The Relevance of Innovation to the United Nations – What Has Been Tried, and What Have We Learned?

Innovation has become a hot topic across the United Nations (UN). The Sustainable Development Goals have intensified this focus, positioning innovation and cross-sector partnerships as essential to accelerating progress on the most pressing global challenges. While the UN has made strides in applying innovation to engage with external stakeholders, there is less evidence that it has embraced innovation as a driver of internal reform and adaptation. Too often, efforts remain confined to dedicated units or individual champions, limiting their reach and impact. 

The risk is that innovation remains the practice of a few, rather than a catalyst for transformation across the system. Addressing this requires leadership to shift the narrative—from “innovation” as a slogan, to the practical application of innovation tools and methods to build an adaptive, resilient, and continuously effective UN. This mini case study explores what it means to place innovation at the heart of internal change. 

Case study pages: 62 /80–100 minutes reading