Mobile technologies From the users, for the users -

through the Social Innovation Hub

Jasmina Belchovska-TasevskaUNDP Skopje, MKjasmina.belcovska@undp.org@JBTasevska

How did it start?• ‘Disaster’ app – real time info sharing

about natural and man-made disasters, accidents or communal infrastructure problems• One of the prototypes selected under the

2012 RBEC innovation fund• Aimed to involve students in the design

and development of the solution to provide students with first project experience opportunity

• Partnered with the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering

• Prototype successful, replicated in KosovoVideo

Unique partnership created

• Regional Social Innovation Hub established in June 2013

• Aimed to:• Research and test new tools and technology based solutions to

development challenges • Design and develop better local public services by utilizing the

benefits of the new and mobile technologies • Provide young people with internship and training opportunities,

while also support young innovators to incubate their ideas

Available resources and networks

• 3000 Students

• 40 PhD Professors,40 Masters associates

• Network of 100+ companies

• Partnership with investment funds

And last but not least, there is always someone with

• Different point of view that thinks outside the box

“Mobile phones have been a gift for development”

- Jeffrey Sachs,

at the Social Good Summit in New York

Some of the projects include:• Developed prototypes:

• Disaster app • SMS info system for informing Prespa farmers on spraying and irrigating timing

• Currently working on:• PRV.mk – real-time info on internships, employment and volunteering

opportunities for young people• Skopje green route – travel (green and cheaper) route planner aimed to

influence people’s travel behaviors to reduce CO2 emissions in the capital

• Other projects include: • Facebook game for education of Prespa farmers• My municipality - online survey of citizens local priorities• Analyses of proxy data for disaster resilience and better contingency planning• Research of mobile phone sensors for different usage

What is next?

• Scale up of currently developed successful-to-be prototypes

• Work on the ‘UN Challenge’ winning solutions

• Public services innovation

• Development of services based on mobile phone sensors

• Business incubator /youth challenge

… while also exploring the opportunities to work on regional projects…