RDA understands the term inclusive innovation to mean innovation that seeks to develop and deliver innovative goods and services incorporating the needs and interests of those most marginalised and vulnerable in society including the poor, women, children, youth,the disabled, and those identifying as LGBTQI+; and which seek to stimulate development for those groups. Inclusive innovation works to amplify the voices of the marginalised and must actively include those who are excluded from the mainstream of development. This means the work needs to not only be inclusive in its process but in its solutions as well. RDA is a strong believer in taking a participatory/human-centered design approach to program development and implementation. RDA utilizes Participatory Rural Appraisal and Action Research in many of its projects working intimately with communities to find the solutions that will work for them. One of our most recent projects included the Voice-funded InYouth project which reflects RDA approach to programming. While the general structure of the project was designed by RDA the target youth were involved in each step of the process from design to the final product and this was only possible because youth participants were given the tools (both practical and soft skills) and were empowered to take ownership of the project.

Both RDA and STELLA understand the importance of the principle Nothing About Us, Without Us and understand the value of receiving a grant that will allow the piloting of innovative community development approaches. Often donors and partners ask for organizations (especially smaller or local organizations) to take the most conservative route when developing projects so we understand the significance of having the opportunity to even present innovative solutions for funding.