Ha'llu Foshi - Solutions Catalogue by UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab

Ha’llu Foshi

a catalogue of local solutions mapped in the Maldives

DECEM BER 20 21

HA’LLU F OSH I

WHY MAP SOLUTIONS?

Faced with problems, people innovate. This happens more often than we think and know about!

Solutions to the wicked development problems that we seek to address, already exists. They exist amongst the people who face these problems and challenges day in and day out.

Some of the most ingenious innovations and solutions go un-noticed because the problem-solving process that is set in motion is often not framed or recognized as “innovating”.

UNDP Maldives Accelerator Lab engages in solutions mapping to provide visibility to local solutions and local innovators and to capture the lessons learnt and the experiences of these local solutions so that rather than trying to re-invent the wheel, we try to grow what has already worked. Mapping also provides us an opportunity to understand the nuances of the local innovation ecosystem and gain insights into what it would take to build an environment in which local innovations and solutions could sprout and thrive!

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A CATA LO G U E O F LO CA L S O LU T I O N S M A P P E D I N T H E M A L D IVE S

WHAT IS OUR DEFINITION OF A SOLUTION? Simply put, anything that solves an identified problem or meets an unmet need could be described as a solution. This can be in the form of a product, service, business model, business practice, policy, or community practice.

We believe that: 1

There could be multiple solutions to any one single problem;

2

Every solution has to start from somewhere;

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Real magic happens when you share your ideas and experiences and collaborate with other great minds passionate about solving the same challenges that keeps you up at night!

Solutions can also be at different stages.

Sometimes it can be just an idea, something that is currently being developed, or something that has been tested and proven.

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HA’LLU F OSH I

SOLUTIONS MAPPING THIS YEAR

In the year 2021, the Maldives Accelerator Lab conducted two solutions mapping exercises.

The first solutions mapping exercise, which was branded as a Solutions Safari was conducted between March and May and focused on mapping solutions to the broad category of sustainable development challenges. It was fully virtual, and solutions were solicited through an online call.

The second solutions mapping exercise, Neitha Halleh? focused on capturing local sustainable tourism

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solutions. This exercise was conducted over a period of two months between October and December. In addition to the online open call, the Accelerator Lab also undertook a field mission to Kaafu, Alifu Alifu and Alifu Dhaalu atolls to look for solutions.

This catalogue features only those solutions that has been tested to some level.

HAA ALIFU ATOLL

N

HAA DHAALU ATOLL

Baa Kihaadhoo Solutions Mapped: 1

SHAVIYANI ATOLL

1 NOONU ATOLL

Lhaviyani Naifaru Solutions Mapped: 1 1

RAA ATOLL

Naifaru

Alif Alif Thoddoo Solutions Mapped: 3

LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Kihaadhoo BAA ATOLL

3

Kaafu Himmafushi Solutions Mapped: 2 2

Thoddoo

Alif Alif Rasdhoo Solutions Mapped: 2

Rasdhoo Himmafushi Ukulhas Hulhumale’ Villimale’ Male’

ALIFU ALIFU ATOLL

2

KAAFU ATOLL ALIFU DHAALU ATOLL

1

2

Alif Dhaalu Dhigurah Solutions Mapped: 2

VAAVU ATOLL

Dhigurah

Alif Alif Ukulhas Solutions Mapped: 4 1

FAAFU ATOLL

DHAALU ATOLL

2

1

3

1

2

1

2

1

6

3

1

MEEMU ATOLL

THAA ATOLL

Guraidhoo

Thaa Guraidhoo Solutions Mapped: 1 1

Greater Male’ Area, Solutions Mapped: 19

Gan LAAMU ATOLL

Laamu Gan Total Solutions Mapped: 2 2

THEMATIC AREAS GAAFU ALIFU ATOLL

Accountable Governance

Seenu Meedhoo Total Solutions Mapped: 2

Access to funding

2

Artificial Intelligence Financial Literacy/ Digitalization Language preservation/digitalization Inclusivity Youth Empowerment

GAAFU DHAALU ATOLL

GNAVIYANI ATOLL

Meedhoo SEENU ATOLL

Sustainable agriculture Sustainable tourism Sustainable waste management Transport

TOTAL NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS MAPPED THIS YEAR: 39 5

THE CATALOGUE

A CATA LO G U E O F LO CA L S O LU T I O N S M A P P E D I N T H E M A L D IVE S

THEMATIC AREA: ACCESS TO FUNDING SOLUTION NAME: MALDIVIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BASED IN: MALE’

AHMED SIYAH

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE/ BUSINESS MODEL

Maldivian Community Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization working to enable individuals, communities, and partners to sustainably administer their charitable and philanthropic aspirations, thereby establishing a sustainable source of funding for the civil society sector in the Maldives.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.mcf.org.mv

THEMATIC AREA: FINANCIAL LITERACY/ DIGITALIZATION SOLUTION NAME: LAARI KOBAA BASED IN: MALE’

ANAS RIZA

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Laari Koba is an online platform on financial literacy, which helps readers understand the world of finance, how it impacts them and how to make informed decisions towards financial security. It is a free resource about money management techniques with topics ranging from saving, analysing spending habits, planning and investment options available for individuals. The primary aim of this solution is to educate the youth on basic financial literacy and create awareness on investing and budgeting.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.laarikoba.com

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HA’LLU F OSH I

THEMATIC AREA: LANGUAGE PRESERVATION/ DIGITALIZATION SOLUTION NAME: MAJALLA.MV BASED IN: MALE’

MOHAMED JAILAM

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

With over 400 entries, Majalla.mv is one of the largest digital repositories in the Maldives, aiming to revive the old and lost Dhivehi magazines and books. The e-library is continuously expanding with new additions of various magazines every week and readers are now able to access some of the oldest documents in Dhivehi, with convenient features such as ability to search and copy text. At a time when the preservation of the country’s linguistic heritage is threatened, a solution such as Majalla.mv encourages the use and preservation of Dhivehi language by making it easier for students, researchers and public to access Dhivehi literature.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.majalla.mv

THEMATIC AREA: INCLUSIVITY/ MACHINE LEARNING SOLUTION NAME: KAMANA A.I BASED IN: MALE’

AHMED MAHFOOZ AND AHMED SOBAH

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Kamana a.i is a solution that encourages the use of Dhivehi language through real time translation and speech-to-text/text-to-speech features. This real time transcription and translation service has many applications in academic settings as well as the workplace. With the use of artificial intelligence Kamana a.i. can make digital devices as well as different types of content more accessible for people with disabilities and monolingual speakers. This could help reduce the digital divide for these groups where they also have an equal chance of joining a workplace or benefit from technology, paving way for a more inclusive society. www.kamana.ai

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SGDs this solution contribute to

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THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SOLUTION NAME: BINHEYO BASED IN: MALE’

AHMED NIYAZ AND AHMED JINAAN ALI

SOLUTION CATEGORY: PRODUCT/ BUSINESS MODEL

Binheyo is an urban farming start up designed to address the rapid income loss brought about by the pandemic while also positively contributing to the environment. Binheyo provides people with equipment and expertise to grow microgreens on a contract basis. The harvest will then be bought back from individuals, providing them with a reliable source of income and offering local cafés and businesses to buy fresh, healthy, and organic produce at affordable prices. Binheyo is also one of the winners of UNDP’s Social Innovation Camp.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.instagram.com/binheyomv

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: LAND ALLOCATION FOR TOURISM BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU THODDOO

THODDOO

SOLUTION CATEGORY: COMMUNITY PRACTICE

The council of Alifu Alifu Thoddoo has an explicit policy to not allocate land from Environmental Protection Zones (EPZs) and the beach area for the establishment of tourism properties. The decision to restrict the development of tourism on the periphery was to prevent a situation where only guesthouses located on the beach area will benefit and guesthouses inland will suffer. This policy gives all guest houses an equal opportunity to benefit from tourism, protects the shoreline and promote the establishment of tourism properties that is more coherent and integrated with the rest of the built infrastructure on the island.

SGDs this solution contribute to

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HA’LLU F OSH I

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: LOGISTICS SOLUTION BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU THODDOO

THODDOO

SOLUTION CATEGORY: COMMUNITY PRACTICE

The island of Alifu Alifu Thoddoo has a regular overnight ferry (famously known as the fruit ferry) from the island to Male’ for the daily transport of fresh agricultural produce to the capital. These ferries are owned and operated by local islanders and they offer a logistical solution to restaurant and guesthouse operators on the island, providing easy access to daily use groceries and other items usually not available on the island. Guesthouses and restaurant operator could give a list of groceries needed from Male’, and they are delivered to their doorstep on the island. This service offered by the fruit ferry enables a regular and consistent supply of goods needed for the operation of restaurants and guesthouses at a lower cost.

SGDs this solution contribute to

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: ELHEE – NEGEE BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU THODDOO

THODDOO

SOLUTION CATEGORY: COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Elhee - Negee is a youth-led movement that aims to nurture and build a generation of young people connected to the reefs and natural environment around them. The movement started as an initiative to clean up litter from picnic goers on sandbanks close to the island of Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo. Since then, the initiative has expanded with a focus on working with schools, divers, and dive centers to provide young people with an opportunity to learn knowledge and skills needed to spend more time in the ocean. Recently the Elhee-Negee organized a PADI aware week which saw the organisation of marine education workshops and activities for students and community including two PADI courses (PADI aware and PADI coral conservation) for school students. During this week, the group secured sponsorships for four school students to get certified as PADI open water divers and for one individual from the community to get a PADI Master Diver certification.

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SGDs this solution contribute to

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THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: GUESTHOUSE COLLABORATION BASED IN: ALIFU DHAALU DHIGURAH

DHIGURAH

SOLUTION CATEGORY: COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Guesthouses on Alifu Alifu Dhigurah have established an informal price control understanding whereby all the guesthouse owners and operators agree on the minimum price that they will not go below and discuss on ways of maintaining service standards across the island. This has allowed the island to maintain is market position, despite competing markets in the Atoll.

SGDs this solution contribute to

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: HOLISTIC TRANSPORT BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU THODDOO RAMZU SPEED

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE/ BUSINESS MODEL

Ramzu Speed boat is a speedboat service provider in Alifu Alifu Thoddoo that offers a holistic last mile transport solution to guesthouses by providing complimentary drop off and pick up of guests from the guesthouses. Young men (a mix of local and foreign) are employed in this transport operation and uses a mix of buggies, motorbikes and vans are used for the transport to and from the speedboat. This transport pooling solution brings down operational costs of guesthouses as it reduces the need for individual guesthouses to have their own vehicle to facilitate transport of guests to and from the jetty. This solution also contributes to a reduction of carbon emissions as well.

SGDs this solution contribute to

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HA’LLU F OSH I

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION AS A TOURISM OFFER BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU RASDHOO

RASDHOO ISLAND INN

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE/ BUSINESS MODEL

Rasdhoo Island Inn is a guesthouse operating in Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo whose primary tourism offer is based on sustainability education. The guesthouse works with educational institutions to offer young adults an opportunity to experience a long holiday in the Maldives, which incorporates elements of sustainability education, including exposure to marine education and conservation as well as community-based activities designed to provide an opportunity for cross cultural exchanges between guests and the local community. Most of the guests come in groups and stay for about a month on average and engage in activities such as regular classes, team building and bonding exercises, diving and other sea-based excursions, community cooking classes, beach clean ups etc. Additionally, various initiatives such as providing guests with reusable bottles and a water cooler on site for refilling, blocking huge chunks during the day as time that guests will spend outside of their rooms engaged in activities are introduced to reduce the environmental footprint.

SGDs this solution contribute to

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: INVESTING IN BUILDING LOCAL TALENT BASED IN: ALIFU DHAALU DHIGURAH

BLISS DHIGURAH

SOLUTION CATEGORY: BUSINESS MODEL/ PRACTICE

BLISS, guesthouse operating in Alifu Alifu Dhigurah is investing in building local talent in tourism. The guesthouse pays special attention to hiring Maldivians, especially young women from the island for various positions within the guesthouse and invests in building their knowledge and skills in hospitality by making learning and development an important goal for every employee and giving them opportunities to learn new skills and build their confidence. As part of this endeavor, the guesthouse conducts regular in-house trainings and gives opportunities for staff to step up to assuming more responsibility. Currently the guesthouse has 18 employees of which 60% are local islanders and 33% are women from the island.

www.bliss.mv

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SGDs this solution contribute to

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THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: CE’NIE BE LOVED (HOLISTIC WELLNESS BRAND) BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU UKULHAS

AL HAKIMA AMINATH ZOONA (CE'NIE)

SOLUTION CATEGORY: PRODUCT

Ce’nie Be Loved is a local wellness brand that offers artisan body care products that uses local and ethically sourced therapeutic ingredients and minimal packaging. The brand which is owned and operated by a local herbal medicine woman and based in Alifu Alifu Ukulhas. Currently it has a coconut body polish that captures the true Maldivian journey which is targeted for tourists and sold at local souvenir shops.

SGDs this solution contribute to

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: KUNBU TRANSFER BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU UKULHAS

AHMED MAHFOOZ

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Kunbu transfer is a complete sea transfer management solution for boat operators and users. The Kunbu transfer platform provides real time information about boat transfers to various parts of the country and allows travelers to confirm a spot, make online payment and secure an electronic ticket for travel. Kunbu transfer addresses multiple pain points for both boat operators and travelers. In addition to information about boats, the Kunbu Transfer platform also provides information about different destinations within the Maldives.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.kunbu.co

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HA’LLU F OSH I

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: VISIT HIMMAFUSHI BASED IN: KAAFU HIMMAFUSHI

MOHAMED IQBAL

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Visit Himmafushi is a destination marketing service for the island of Himmafushi. In addition to providing information about stay and eating options and activities Visit Himmafushi also focuses on telling the story of the people of the island. The curated stories about the people of the island, leverages on island’s unique history, identity and lived realities and provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with and better appreciate the community.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.visithimmafushi.com

THEMATIC AREA: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION NAME: ISLANDWISE BASED IN: SHAVIYANI KANDITHEEMU SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Islandwise is a digital marketing solution that makes accurate and up to date information about various local tourism destinations and properties in the Maldives, easily accessible to everyone. With over 60 listings, the website provides curated content about local tourism destinations and guest houses and allows travelers to make reservation inquiries directly through the website.

Additionally, there is a blog section that capture stories highlighting the unique selling points of different destinations. This free listing service allows local islands and guesthouse operators to reach out to potential customers. www.islandwise.mv

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SGDs this solution contribute to

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THEMATIC AREA: TRANSPORT SOLUTION NAME: KUNBU TRACKING BASED IN: ALIFU ALIFU UKULHAS

AHMED MAHFOOZ

SOLUTION CATEGORY: SERVICE

Kunbu Tracking is a fleet management solution that allows individuals as well as businesses to track and monitor vehicles and vessels in their fleet. This complete tracking solutions includes several useful features including geofencing, access control, fuel level monitoring, speed alarms, SOS alarms, unauthorized access alarm, ignition detection, and two-way communication between you and your vehicle/ vessel. This solution provides an avenue for fleet operators to monitor important indicators for more informed decision making.

SGDs this solution contribute to

www.kunbutracking.com

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Launched in 2019, the Accelerator Labs Network is UNDP’s new service offering that works with people, governments, the private sector and other partners to reimagine development for the 21st century. Accelerator Labs create actionable intelligence, test solutions with national partners, accelerating learning about what works and what doesn’t in development so that we can get faster results on the ground. Accelerator Labs are in 90 locations supporting 114 countries. The Maldives Accelerator Lab was launched in 2020.

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP has been in the Maldives for more than 40 years, fostering human development for peace and prosperity within the planetary boundaries of the planet. Over the decades, we have worked on poverty eradication, democratic governance and environment protection, including climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Learn more about UNDP Maldives at mv.undp.org and follow@UNDPMaldives on social media.

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

- Edmund Burke

Get in touch with us at cloud.acclab@undp.org to share information about your solutions!