A global-south platform
The Frugal Innovation Forum is the biggest international conference of BRAC where we explore what has worked and what hasn't, what to improve and what needs to be done, and where to go from here (and who to partner with). This helps the broader development sector audience to address critical discussions and work toward closing the remaining gaps in a sustainable, cost-effective way.
We also explore issues related to access, design, and uptake of meaningful use cases, as well as emerging disruptive innovations in this field.
Each component has its own purpose and personality — while clearly belonging to the same FIF ecosystem.
Developing practical solutions to real-world challenges
The Frugal Innovation Challenge engages Bangladeshi university students and recent graduates to develop practical, people-centred solutions to pressing development challenges. Teams work together to explore problems, develop ideas and bring promising solutions into the wider FIF ecosystem.
Building and testing field-ready solutions
The Frugal Innovation Fellowship connects innovators with real-world development challenges and supports the development of practical, low-cost solutions. Fellows work with programme and field realities to test ideas, learn from implementation and explore how solutions can create meaningful impact.
A global-south platform
Since 2013, BRAC has been hosting the Frugal Innovation Forum every year, bringing together development practitioners, researchers, entrepreneurs, funding agencies and key stakeholders of the Global South. FIF is now evolving beyond a single conference into a connected ecosystem that identifies promising ideas, supports emerging innovators and brings practical solutions into a wider conversation.
In the south, where salty water has taken over the land, people are learning to adapt. Read and watch their stories.
One recognisable FIF ecosystem with clear entry points for different audiences.
