Around the world, legal systems and legal professionals, as well as social entrepreneurs are challenged with delivering more justice, to more people but with fewer resources. Innovations in the ready-made garment industry are helping global supply chains with the growing pressure of providing stable and fair conditions to its workers. We need more innovators who are up to the task. Governments, corporations and NGOs also need to learn how to work with them to strengthen their effectiveness, impact and return on investment.
This year, HiiL Innovating Justice, C&A Foundation, and Next2Company partnered together in organising the 5th Annual Innovating Justice Forum: an Innovation Boostcamp on Justice Delivery and Living Wages. The goal of the event was to put justice and living wage innovators right in the centre. During the first day of the Boostcamp, we began by preparing the 9 finalists from this year’s innovation selection round – 6 innovators focused on justice delivery and 3 on living wages – with delivering great pitches.
In the afternoon, we welcomed external stakeholders who learned about different innovation partnership perspectives from a panel made up of international development experts and the business and investor community. All participants had a chance to work with the finalists in both group and individual work sessions, ask questions about their future plans and give constructive feedback on their business models.
The second day of the forum was held in the Peace Palace – the most iconic building in the city of peace and justice, built with the very purpose of bringing innovation to the rule of law. After an insightful panel discussion on the challenges to justice, we began with the innovator’s pitches, followed by small group sessions to build on strengths, discuss challenges, and discover synergies. The rest of the day was packed with fascinating speakers and great networking opportunities.
The event closed with an announcement and celebration of this year’s award winners. The event closed with an announcement and celebration of this year’s award winners:
- Award for Successful Innovation: BRAC Property Rights Project
- Award for Innovative Ideas: LawForMe will receive €20 000 from HiiL and € 20 000 from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs in seed funding
- Award for Living Wage Innovation Challenge: Made in Africa will receive € 50 000 in seed funding
All 9 finalists will receive coaching and have the potential for strategic partnership building.
Wilfred de Wever, Head of Innovating Justice Hub at HiiL, said: “This year’s Innovating Justice Forum offered a great platform for exchanging ideas among innovators and with justice and living wage experts.
“Together, we can build iconic projects that will boost the development of reasonably fair and stable business environments.”
