TORONTO, June 20, 2022 /CNW/ – Grand Challenges Canada (GDC) is proud to announce that since its inception in 2010, innovations in global health et humanitarian aid funded have improved a total of 10 million lives in low- and middle-income countries. In terms of impact, of those 10 million lives, 1.78 million pregnant women and newborns received treatment and services aimed at improving pregnancy and childbirth outcomes (this is i.e. healthier pregnancies and reduction of common risks and problems during pregnancy and childbirth). As part of our funding, innovators conduct monitoring and evaluation activities to document the impact of their innovations and report the results to GCC.
Watch our social media video to learn about some of the innovators behind the 10 million lives improved” (the French version will follow shortly) : https://youtu.be/EmYlGINw8CE.
“It is the impact of innovators that we honor today; we are humbled and proud in supporting their work,” said Karlee Silverco-CEO of Grand Challenges Canada. “The need to support transformative innovations at the local level is more important than ever. Challenges related to the pandemic and global insecurity have had a deeper impact on women and children, setting back progress towards achieving the United Nations Agenda on the Horizon 2030 et Sustainable Development Goals. But we’ve also seen the power of innovation to change lives. Grand Challenges Canada estimates that the innovations it has supported towards scale and sustainability have the potential to improve up to 64 million lives by 2030; today’s announcement demonstrates that innovators are up to the challenge to achieve this goal”.
Jocelyn MackieCo-CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, added: “The reality is that innovations that save and improve lives typically take years to move from idea to large-scale deployment and maximizing their impact. This is where Grand Challenges Canada made the difference. In just 11 years, we have demonstrated our unique niche in the global impact-driven innovation ecosystem. We are willing to take innovation risks that other investors cannot. It is important to note that these results would not have been possible without our funders and partners, in particular Global Affairs Canada”.
L’honorable Harjit S. SajjanMinister for International Development and Minister Responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, added: “Sexual and reproductive health rights are human rights. This is why, for more than 10 years, we have been collaborating with Grands Défis Canada to mobilize innovations to solve difficult problems in this and other areas. I would like to congratulate Grands Défis Canada and the innovators they support for reaching this milestone in improving the lives of 10 million people. It is through their work in partnership with the Canada that we have been able to touch the lives of millions of women and girls. I look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver the results the world needs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
In addition, the portfolio of innovations funded by Grand Challenges Canada has saved 46,300 lives to date, and has the potential to save up to 1.78 million lives by 2030.
Lives Improved by Grand Challenges Portfolio Canada
|
Wallet |
Number of lives improved (since 2010) |
Description of impact |
|
Sanitation |
5 373 000 |
Regular and consistent use of enhanced sanitation measures, with the removal and disposal of waste |
|
Maternal, newborn and child health |
1 778 000 |
Treatments and services to improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes |
|
saving brains |
1 542 000 |
Improved early childhood development outcomes including physical growth, cognitive development, language and communication, and social and emotional development |
|
Other health challenges |
836 000 |
For example, communicable and non-communicable diseases |
|
Great Humanitarian Challenge |
229 000 |
Regular, safe and reliable access to clean water and sanitation, energy, life-saving information or quality health supplies and services for people affected by a humanitarian crisis caused by conflict |
|
Sexual and reproductive health and rights |
166 000 |
Improved knowledge or changed behavior on sexual and reproductive health and rights |
|
Global mental health |
76 000 |
Reduction in severity or remission of symptoms of a mental health problem or disorder |
|
Total |
10 00 000 |
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Impact measurement process
- Expected number of lives improved and lives saved during the funding period
- We work with innovators to clarify their goals and targets from the start of funding.
- The innovators submit a quantitative and qualitative report every six months.
- For innovations at the later Transition to Scale stage, we develop impact models to estimate the potential number of lives improved and saved.
- Methodology: (similar to market projections) using relevant health data and statistics; information on target population, demand and capacity to meet it; assumptions about success factors; and adjustments to account for barriers to achieving large-scale impact and the likelihood of failure.
About Grand Challenges Canada
Grand Challenges Canada is dedicated to promoting Bold Ideas with Big Impact®. Funded by the government of Canada and other partners, Grand Challenges Canada provides funding to innovators from low- and middle-income countries and from Canada. The Bold Ideas that Grand Challenges supports Canada integrate scientific, technological, social and business innovation – called Integrated Innovation®.
Grand Challenges Canadaone of the largest impact investors in the Canada, has supported a portfolio of more than 1,300 innovations in 106 countries. Grand Challenges Canada estimates that these innovations have the potential to save up to 1.78 million lives and improve up to 64 million lives by 2030.
SOURCE Grand Challenges Canada
For further information: Douglas Chow, Senior Director, Communications, Grand Challenges Canada, [email protected]
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