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Innovation Diwan

Client: Misk

Sector:

Duration: NA

Industry:

Overview

Challenge

To encourage a culture of social innovation in the non-profit sector, so that Saudi youth can develop effective solutions for the challenges faced by their society.

Outcome

The implementation of Misk's Innovation Diwan initiative which sought innovative solutions for challenges in health, social responsibility, youth capabilities development, and quality of life. The five winning teams received support from sponsors to officially launch their initiatives and create positive public impact.

Impact

Such endorsement encourages Saudi youth to be invested in their society and to cultivate a dynamic mindset for innovative, context-specific solutions. The majority of the Saudi population is young — supporting them creates pioneers who can realize Vision 2030's goals for a future-oriented and thriving society.

Context

Remarkable reforms have swept the public sector since the launch of Vision 2030 — including programs related to housing, health, economics, and human capabilities development. One important pillar in the realization of the nation's ambitions is investment in youth. More than two thirds of the Saudi population consists of youth and children — the foundation of a thriving society and the promise of a bright future.

The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) was established in 2011 to create a nurturing environment that hones talents — empowering youth across education, entrepreneurship, culture, creative arts, science, and technology. Through innovative programs, vibrant incubators, and local and global partnerships, the foundation invests in local intellectual capital and develops the community's capabilities to form the essence of a knowledge-based society.

TAM's Approach

Misk launched Innovation Diwan — a program designed to foster proactive community engagement among Saudi youth using a crowdsourcing model. TAM offered its assistance across all four main phases of the program:

Phase 1 — Challenge Selection

TAM collaborated to design a thorough research plan and methodology — creating surveys, individual interviews, and focus group workshops to collect possible challenges. Based on discussions and emerging patterns, four key challenges were identified in the areas of health, social responsibility, youth capabilities development, and quality of life.

Phase 2 — Idea Submission & Team Formation

TAM engaged the community through direct and indirect marketing. College students, entrepreneurs, and previous Misk participants were contacted directly via mobile and email, while indirect marketing used Twitter and Instagram. Two digital platforms were designed — one for idea submission and one for skills matching — before being connected to form 50+ teams of capable individuals ready to execute an idea. Ideas were evaluated on feasibility, clarity, originality, and impact.

Phase 3 — Boot Camp & Solution Development

Teams participated in two boot camps — one virtual and one in-person. TAM designed the full training content including interactive discussions, lectures, workshops, and mentorship sessions. A strong methodology helped teams design and deliver innovative solutions, which were then evaluated against specific criteria — 15 teams nominated and 5 teams winning the opportunity to connect with sponsors.

Phase 4 — Pitching & Adoption

A document was presented to potential sponsors from private and public sector entities — outlining types of support available, whether knowledge and guidance, logistics, marketing, funding, or intellectual property backing. This allowed the 5 winning initiatives to obtain the substantial assistance needed to officially launch and create positive public impact.

What We Delivered

  • A comprehensive research plan — surveys, interviews, and focus groups — identifying 4 key societal challenge areas.
  • A multi-channel community engagement campaign reaching college students, entrepreneurs, and Misk alumni.
  • Two digital platforms — one for idea submission, one for team formation — connected to create 50+ execution-ready teams.
  • Full design and delivery of two boot camps (virtual and in-person) with workshops, lectures, and expert mentorship.
  • A sponsor-facing pitch document connecting 5 winning teams with public and private sector backers.
  • Successful launch of 5 social innovation initiatives with full sponsor support and real-world public impact.

Impact at a Glance

4

key societal challenge areas identified through research

50+

ideas and holistic teams formed through the platform

2

boot camps delivered — one virtual, one in-person

15

teams nominated after boot camp evaluation

5

winning teams connected with sponsors for launch support

4

program phases: Challenge Selection, Submission, Boot Camp, Pitching

2/3

of Saudi Arabia's population are youth and children

2011

year Misk Foundation was established to empower Saudi youth

Lasting Value Created

Innovation Diwan brought out the best qualities of Saudi youth — altruism, innovation, engagement, diligence, competitiveness, and generosity. It paved a way for youth to expend their energy in prosocial ways, devising solutions to problems that directly concern them and affect their lives and community. Participants' overwhelmingly favorable ratings of the program reflect how it boosted their feelings of mastery and accomplishment. This foretells an optimistic future for Innovation Diwan and its goal of creating an innovative culture that looks within when facing challenges — and rises up to them, just as Vision 2030 aspires.