From research and case studies to new methodologies and innovative design thinking – the Innovation Foundation’s work results in projects, papers, and ways of thinking and working that help underserved populations access and remain in meaningful employment.
We build solutions to share, not to keep. If we can inspire businesses, governments, and decision makers, spark a new way of looking at something, or help someone struggling to identify and value their own skills, then we are doing something right. We invite you to look through the material we provide, get inspired, and reach out to us for more information, synergies, and feedback.
Please note that some of our earlier documents may refer to “The Adecco Group Foundation”. This was our name when we first began operations, back in 2017. At the end of 2021, we underwent a transformation which helped us to further sharpen our focus on underserved populations and structure ourselves as a comprehensive Social Innovation Lab. This also resulted in the name you know us by today: the Innovation Foundation. This name speaks to our innovative approach to finding and developing solutions for the underserved.
See what we have been up to, our achievements and drivers, and our plans for the future, with the Innovation Foundation Annual Report.
2021 Innovation Foundation Annual Report
Our very first annual report is a look back at 2021, featuring a tightening and narrowing of focus, resulting in a new strategy, organizational structure, and cultural evolution. It also firmly establishes our operating model as a Social Innovation Lab, gives an update on our legacy projects, and hints at the future of where we are headed.
Our Social Radar scans. Our Innovation Space builds. Our Accelerator scales. Together, these three things are at the heart of the Innovation Foundation’s methodology. It is a unique and carefully crafted methodology that ensures we are solving the right problem, for the right people, in the right way, and with the right partners. Dive deeper into each step of our methodology, here.
Social Radar: Scan Methodology
A human-centred diagnostic design process via mapping, distilling, sense testing, calibrating, and validating.
Many young people are falling out of the workforce. Or struggling to enter in the first place. The Innovation Foundation asks: What if young people didn’t have to choose between education or employment? What if we could help young people identify and apply the skills they already have?
The first iteration of the Social Radar identifies two key challenges facing youth and makes recommendations for further exploration through research and projects.
A vital and healthy workforce is good for business, society, and, most importantly, people. We help organizations identify people’s needs, evaluate their existing policies, and accelerate innovative solutions to wellbeing thanks to our own unique and straightforward Workforce Vitality model.
A simple, integrated model comprised of the 4 elements and 4 enablers of wellbeing – adding value to employers and enriching the wellbeing of employees.
Workforce Vitality Report
An Economist Intelligence Unit report examining the extent to which multinational companies are adopting wellbeing practices, how effective they have been, and how important HR executives consider them to be.
Workforce Vitality ICRC Case Study
A design sprint, run together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, to implement our Workforce Vitality model and support the physical, mental, and social needs of ICRC staff.
Many young people struggle to find a way into work because they lack the experience and skills that companies look for. And many companies find it difficult to understand what youth wants to see in an employer and are looking for how to best bring out the skills of the young workforce. The youth demographic has a unique view on the world of work and brings many interesting new ways of working, values, and skills to the table. We recognize and support youth by involving them directly – keeping their needs and values at the heart of it all.
This innovation project employs design thinking and co-creation of solutions with consortium partners and is dedicated to unlocking hidden pools of talent. In partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), we help to increase the employability of people with disabilities in developing countries, fragile states, and conflict zones, through the Career Development Programme. In partnership with the Lucerne Festival and Davos Festival, the Young Musicians Training Programme aims to create systemic change in how musicians are prepared for the world of work.
The Covid-19 pandemic gave rise to the Great Resignation, where millions of employees have left their jobs and are demanding more flexibility, choice and purpose from their working life. But what if the Great Resignation isn’t as universal as it seems? What if the pandemic has disproportionately impacted certain parts of the labour market? This is the case for many women who are struggling to re-enter the workforce. The Innovation Foundation recognizes that, for many of these women, leaving their jobs was not by choice and we focus on solutions for helping them regain meaningful employment, post-pandemic.
Women Back to Work – Project Overview
How might we help mid-career female workers in vocational professions to find the flexibility they need to return to working or positively pivot when returning to work? The Innovation Foundation applies its proprietary Scan, Build, Scale methodology to develop employability solutions for low-to-mid-skilled women who are struggling to return to work, on their own terms, after a long career break.
