Innovation & Human-Centered Design in NGO Projects Training Course

Introduction
Innovation and Human-Centered Design (HCD) are transforming how NGOs develop impactful and sustainable solutions in complex environments. The Innovation & Human-Centered Design in NGO Projects Training Course equips professionals with the creative mindsets, tools, and frameworks needed to co-design programs and services with the people they serve. Through participatory methods and iterative learning, this course fosters inclusive innovation that responds directly to community needs, resulting in more effective and locally grounded development outcomes.

This 10-day course blends design thinking principles with real-world development challenges, guiding participants through every stage of the innovation cycle—from problem discovery and ideation to prototyping, testing, and adaptive implementation. Whether you’re developing a new livelihood program or rethinking an M&E system, the course helps NGO teams integrate HCD into project design and delivery. It is ideal for organizations seeking to build innovation capacity, strengthen user-centered programming, and unlock creative potential across teams and communities.

Duration

10 Days
Target Audience

  • Program and project officers in NGOs and INGOs
  • Innovation and strategy leads in humanitarian organizations
  • M&E and learning specialists
  • Community engagement and design facilitators
  • Grant development and proposal writing teams

Course Objectives

  • Introduce the fundamentals of innovation and human-centered design in development work
  • Equip participants with practical tools for problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing
  • Strengthen participatory design approaches that prioritize community insights and ownership
  • Support the integration of design thinking into program design, MEL, and adaptive management
  • Foster creative confidence and collaborative problem-solving in cross-functional teams

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Innovation in NGO Programming

  • Defining innovation in the context of humanitarian and development work
  • Drivers of innovation in NGOs and civil society
  • Key types: product, process, model, and ecosystem innovation
  • Innovation cycles and scaling strategies
  • Myths and mindsets around innovation

Module 2: Principles of Human-Centered Design (HCD)

  • Overview of design thinking and HCD methodology
  • Empathy, iteration, and collaboration as core pillars
  • Phases of HCD: Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver
  • Adapting HCD to low-resource and humanitarian settings
  • HCD ethics and inclusion considerations

Module 3: Problem Discovery and Framing

  • Gathering insights through interviews, immersion, and observation
  • Framing and reframing the problem
  • Identifying root causes using tools like 5 Whys
  • Mapping pain points and user journeys
  • Avoiding premature solutioning

Module 4: Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement

  • Identifying key stakeholders and affected communities
  • Analyzing influence, interest, and power dynamics
  • Designing inclusive engagement processes
  • Building relationships through co-creation
  • Using personas and empathy maps

Module 5: Ideation Techniques for NGOs

  • Brainstorming, brainwriting, and creative warmups
  • Divergent vs. convergent thinking strategies
  • Facilitating idea generation in groups
  • Using prompts and constraints to fuel creativity
  • Clustering, voting, and prioritization methods

Module 6: Rapid Prototyping for Program Design

  • Defining what to prototype and test
  • Low-fidelity prototypes: sketches, mock-ups, models
  • Role-playing and storyboarding solutions
  • Paper prototypes and digital wireframes
  • Encouraging experimentation and failing forward

Module 7: Testing and Feedback Loops

  • Planning user testing sessions
  • Gathering actionable feedback from users and stakeholders
  • Observation, surveys, and usability interviews
  • Iterating based on what works and what doesn’t
  • Building continuous learning cycles

Module 8: Embedding Design in Project Lifecycles

  • Integrating HCD into project design phases
  • Aligning with logframes, theories of change, and donor frameworks
  • Agile design within rigid reporting structures
  • From pilots to scale: when to formalize innovation
  • Creating adaptive, user-informed interventions

Module 9: Innovation Metrics and Learning

  • Measuring innovation and iteration cycles
  • Defining success beyond traditional KPIs
  • Innovation journaling and reflective practice
  • Capturing stories of change and impact
  • Institutionalizing learning from failures

Module 10: Tools for Remote and Inclusive HCD

  • Digital whiteboards (Miro, Jamboard, Figma)
  • Using WhatsApp, SMS, and offline tools for community feedback
  • Adapting tools for non-literate and marginalized users
  • Accessibility and language considerations
  • Hybrid facilitation techniques

Module 11: Leading Creative Teams and Innovation Culture

  • Fostering psychological safety and creative confidence
  • Managing diverse teams with distributed leadership
  • Encouraging risk-taking and curiosity
  • Recognizing and rewarding innovation behavior
  • Building internal capacity for continuous innovation

Module 12: Case Studies and Action Planning

  • Real-life examples of HCD in NGO projects
  • Lessons from global innovation labs and hubs
  • Group presentations of HCD prototypes
  • Personal innovation roadmap and commitment
  • Embedding HCD in organizational systems

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Innovation & Human-centered Design In Ngo Projects Training Course in Saint Lucia
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