Innovate to eliminate: a prerequisite in NTD programmes

The Ascend Learning and Innovation Fund supported five projects from 2019 to 2021, until the early end of the Ascend West and Central Africa programme.

Designed for innovation, the fund supported a range of projects, including operational research, product development and social behavioural change. This flexibility supported innovation to bridge the gap between strategic policy and practical implementation, piloting and proving business models to respond to information found through Ascend.

This article shares the methods and outcomes of the Ascend Learning and Innovation Fund as well as key lessons learned.

This article is part of a special supplement in International Health focusing on the Ascend neglected tropical disease programme in West and Central Africa. You can access the other articles in the supplement on the International Health website.