---
title: "Innovation"
description: "In a world with limited resources, we must improvise."
url: "https://www.nrc.no/who-we-are/innovation"
language: "en"
published: "2016-04-14T06:45:13Z"
modified: "2016-04-14T06:47:42Z"
---

![Photo: NRC/ Vincent Tremeau ](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/images/countries/car/car_tremeau_-63.jpg)

# Innovation

[Cash and voucher](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=138) [Climate change](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=141) [Environment](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=147) [Innovation](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=171)

This article was first published more than 10 years ago

In a world with limited resources, we must improvise.

NRC wants to be more creative and effective in helping the displaced people we serve. Our projects weave together the inventiveness of our staff, our partners and the displaced persons themselves.

In Eritrea, refugees power their school computers with the sun. In Ethiopia, they heat their homes with biogas fuel.

From biometric registration to Wi-Fi in schools, we encourage constant, forward thinking.

### Cash and vouchers

We want to give displaced people more choice when it comes to their needs, and a sense of dignity after trauma. We integrate cash and vouchers into all of our core activities.

Read more about our [cash and vouchers programmes](https://www.nrc.no/what-we-do/projects-and-programmes/cash-and-vouchers).

### Refugees innovating

Displaced people know best what they need for their everyday lives. Often, these men, women, boys and girls are the most innovative in creating solutions to common problems.

### Renewable energy

We want to preserve the environment and recycle resources where we can. Alternative fuels pave the way.

### Stories from the field

## [Exploring blockchain technologies for humanitarian transactions into Syria](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/exploring-blockchain-technologies-for-humanitarian-transactions-into-syria)

27. May 2026 | Syria

## [Out of the ordinary: New approaches to financing NGO-led crisis response mechanisms](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/out-of-the-ordinary)

24. Jun 2024

## [Digital cash empowering rural communities in southern Afghanistan](https://www.nrc.no/news/2024/february/digital-cash-empowering-rural-communities-in-southern-afghanistan)

22. Feb 2024 | Afghanistan

## [Mitigating financial sector derisking through innovation: The role of digital technologies in humanitarian fund transfers](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/mitigating-financial-sector-derisking-through-innovation-the-role-of-digital-technologies-in-humanitarian-fund-transfers)

22. Dec 2023

## [Building peace through connectivity](https://www.nrc.no/shorthand/stories/building-peace-through-connectivity/index.html)

14. Jan 2022 | Feature

## [The power to decide](https://www.nrc.no/perspectives/2022/the-power-to-decide)

10. Jan 2022 | Perspective

[More stories](https://www.nrc.no/search?searchCategories=171&searchMethod=1)