Tech and diaspora - Global innovations in humanitarian action

22 Oct 2025
Workshop Room 2

As the global funding landscape shrinks, the humanitarian sector must evolve or risk falling behind. Diaspora-led initiatives are pioneering innovative financing models that support and scale what local communities are already doing. This session will explore how diaspora and tech actors worldwide can be leveraged to strengthen community-driven responses and foster systemic change.

Across diverse crises and fragile contexts, traditional aid systems face growing limitations. Diaspora and tech actors are developing approaches that combine blockchain-enabled fintech, crowdfunding, and innovative digital tools to deliver agile, transparent, and community-driven responses.

From crowdfunding platforms to blockchain-based payment systems, to new models of partnership between diasporas, humanitarian organizations, and private sector actors, this session will showcase innovations from different regions and examine their role in both emergency response and long-term recovery.

Speakers
Burcu Mavis
Burcu Mavis, Blockchain Academy and Accelerator Lead - UNDP Regional Hub for Europe and Central Asia
Nasrat Khalid
Nasrat Khalid, Executive Director - ASEEL App
Nigel Pont
Nigel Pont, Senior Advisor - Algorand Foundation and HesabPay
Jean-Marc Seigneur
Jean-Marc Seigneur, Director, Advanced Studies on Blockchain, DLT and dApps Development - University of Geneva
Carmen Hett
Carmen Hett, Treasurer - UNHCR