Are you an organisation that is in for developing creative and innovative projects with the Voice target groups?  Do you have a history of trying and documenting new things to help push the boundaries somewhat? Do you want to inspire attitudinal and policy change amongst people and governments in Laos towards your target group? Do you want to try new ways to innovate and learn at a national an/or local level?

If you answered “yes” to the questions above, then you may be the Innovate and Learn grantee Voice in Laos is looking for!

Innovate and Learn grants are for groups and/or organisations interesting in testing and scaling new approaches that are human-centred and adapted to suit the local context. Innovate and learn grants are available from €5,000 to €200,000 on a rolling basis with two review cycles a year.

For Voice, Innovation means anything that has not been tried before in a particular context, prioritising human-centred methodologies and approaches. If you have a new idea, method or approach, you are welcome to propose it in your application. Innovation also means using tried and tested influencing methods but for new purposes and /or with new target groups, audiences, geographical areas and/or themes.

Voice encourages network, partnership and consortia applications because each organisation may bring new ideas to the project and each partner can learn from each other.  You may also wish to partner with “unusual suspects” like media companies, campaigners and artists who may encourage new ways of advocacy and influence.

Here are some ideas, some outrageous, some less.

• Local library or school reading by LGBTI community (or any target group for that matter) to reduce stigma and expose children to differences, creating tolerance etc.  https://www.facebook.com/refinery29/videos/1246223835475485/?hc_ref=SEARCH
• Develop a book / story on target groups: If Cindarella was cinderfella, the shocking truth about books via https://www.facebook.com/rebelgirls/?pnref=story
• Tuktuks driven by women: Planned Parenthood (Pink Rikshas in Pakistan), Dosso (Niger) http://www.wmcpk.org/wp/gender-news/women-get-permits-to-drive-tuk-tuks-in-mumbai/
• Restaurants managed by target group which can provide income and at the same time increase societal participation and reduce stigma:  For example Intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome Brownies by downies or Upside Café in The Hague Netherlands
• Milkshakefestival: http://www.milkshakefestival.com/  An LGBTI festival for inclusion.
• Poet festival focusing on inclusion:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/735524503126554/  Festival International de Slam et d’ Humour de Mali
• Voice Caravan of photos including at national museums, Ministry and Embassy
• Nurturing local talent through organising a talent show for inclusion : https://www.facebook.com/557128697821381/videos/674975739370009/
• Local application for a local Uber (run by women)… https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/950464745095033/
• Great ideas for inclusive education: https://www.facebook.com/officialinspirationcorner/videos/1759439737439945/
• Fashion show by and for People With Disabilities https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera/videos/10155467271858690/

The message should be clear: we are looking for creativity!