Last week, we held Armenia’s very first Public Sector Innovation Week (#PSIWeek). Through a series of platforms and events, we invited changemakers from across the spectrum of society to think and talk about what public sector innovation is and how we can achieve it.

For the past three years Kolba Lab has provided a space for citizens to identify social challenges, to test ideas, and to nurture ventures. We’ve seen active citizens transform their ideas into social startups, new tech, online services, and more.

Innovation in the Public Sector

There are no monopolies on innovation. We know that are more pockets of creativity hidden across Armenian society. So we decided to extend our incubating platform to changemakers in Government and the public sector. To celebrate public sector innovators, and to introduce our platform, we held ‘Public Sector Innovation Week’ from 30th January to February 6th.  Here’s what happened:

TEDxSalon@Yerevan

Bringing together figures from within Government, along with musicians, a UN Rep, and even a comedian, the first TEDxYerevan of 2016 offered answers to a range of thought-provoking issues, including:

  •  How democracy in the 21st century is becoming defined – and challenged – by the need for wider and deeper conversations between states and societies.
  •  Why education is the fundamental foundation of transforming a country from developing to developed.
  • Is individualism in Armenian society as strong as people suggest?
  • Can we use music as a way to break down other social barriers?

Public presentation

 

We invited the public and press to find out more about what Public Sector Innovation is and what we will be doing to boost it over the next two years. The event saw speeches from representatives from across UNDP, the EU, and the Government.

Bradley Busetto, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Armenia, and Gurgen Dumanyan, First Deputy Minster – Chief of RA Government Staff.

Kolba Café

We had the pleasure of hosting UK-based Public Sector Innovation specialists, FutureGov, as part of our regular Kolba Café series. Speakers Emily Bazalgette and Simone Carrier dazzled our guests with an interactive presentation on how public sector organisations can become truly response to their users.

Workshop for Government Innovators

FutureGov stuck around in Yerevan for a few extra days for a “hands-on” workshop, aimed at those within the government interested in innovating. Participants learned about the value of collaborative design processes and applying ethnographic design research; analysis of insights, communicating and interacting with users; development of ideas, prototyping and testing with service users to a real life problem the government is trying to tackle.

Are you interested in innovation in the Public Sector? Took part in one of our events during PSIWeek? Get in touch or let us know what you think in the comments section below.