Building research partnerships to disseminate social innovation in health in low- and middle-income countries

SIHI, the Social Innovation in Health Initiative , is a network of individuals and institutions sharing a common goal to advance social innovation in health through research and to transform health care delivery. Since 2014, SIHI has identified and studied more than 40 community-based social innovations across 17 countries that are improving access, so that no-one is left behind. SIHI country research hubs in China, Colombia, Malawi, Philippines, South Africa and Uganda have been playing a leadership role in advancing social innovation in health through research, advocacy and capacity strengthening. Research institutions are well positioned to provide a unique platform to convene social innovators, government and community representatives, researchers and other stakeholders to work together, provide evidence of what works and what does not, and nurture social innovations. The SIHI country research hubs work with governments and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for social innovation to thrive. With this call, TDR collaborates with SIHI partners to expand the SIHI network in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in relation to infectious diseases of poverty, and to disseminate the use of social innovation in health approaches and research.

SIHI vision

SIHI’s vision is to create an enabling environment for social innovations to thrive and where an increasing number of research institutions in low- and middle-income countries are playing a leadership role in advancing social innovation through advocacy, research and capacity strengthening to transform health care delivery.
SIHI’s aim is to “plant the seeds for dissemination” by playing a catalytic role and fostering growing engagement.

Purpose and scope of this call

The purpose of this call is to build upon the work of the SIHI research country hubs and support research institutions in other low- and middle-income countries to embed social innovation in their programmes. This will be done through creating research partnerships in low- and middle-income countries between (i) research institutions having the capacity and experience in advancing social innovation in health through advocacy, research and capacity strengthening and (ii) research institutions focusing on infectious diseases of poverty that are willing to engage and embed this approach in their organizations. These research partnerships will actively enhance and facilitate the networking, sharing and learning among SIHI partners.