Qatar firm proposes 'public innovation lab' model aligned with 2030 vision goals

18/08/2025 04:26 AST

A Qatari innovation firm is proposing a multi-layered Public Innovation Lab (PIL) ecosystem that could help transform Qatar's public sector by enhancing service delivery, improving efficiency, and strengthening citizen engagement, all of which align with the country's National Vision 2030.

Engineer Nayef al-Ibrahim, CEO and co-founder of Ibtechar, said the company's white paper titled, 'Imagining a Public Innovation Lab for Qatar', positions the PIL as a strategic mechanism for driving government reform, drawing from international best practices and Ibtechar's own experience working across sectors in Qatar and the GCC.

"At Ibtechar, our core commitment lies in supporting capacity building within government," al-Ibrahim stated in the document, which noted that the proposed model reflects the company's long-standing commitment to capacity building within government. "We know that empowering public sector agencies, departments, and teams with the right training, tools, and methodologies is essential for delivering impactful change," he further pointed out.

Al-Ibrahim explained that the white paper "focuses on a powerful mechanism for driving public sector transformation: the Public Innovation Lab (PIL)."

"We propose that a well-designed PIL can be instrumental in enhancing public service delivery, improving government efficiency, and strengthening citizen engagement," he also said.

The white paper defines a PIL as a specialist unit within government that uses design thinking, data analysis, and experimentation to develop novel solutions to complex challenges. These labs typically produce service prototypes, policy recommendations, digital tools and platforms, training and capacity-building programmes, and partnerships and networks.

The document explained that Ibtechar's proposal recommends a two-tiered ecosystem: a Central PIL (CPIL) housed within the Central Government Agency, and a network of hybrid PILs embedded within individual ministries. The CPIL would focus on national-level projects aligned with the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024-2030, while hybrid ministry-level PILs would address sector-specific challenges.

"This combined approach leverages the strengths of both centralised (high-level) and decentralised (sector-specific) models - creating a dynamic and interconnected innovation ecosystem," the white paper elaborated.

The model encourages a two-way flow of knowledge and expertise that "maximises the impact of innovation across the public sector - and fosters a culture of innovation within individual ministries, empowering staff and building long-term capacity for change."

The document stated: "We believe that by carefully considering these recommendations and adapting them to the specific context of Qatar, public sector leaders can establish a thriving PIL ecosystem to effectively drive innovation and improve public services for the benefit of all citizens."

"Success will require a fundamental shift - from short-term, project-based thinking to a long-term, holistic approach. Ibtechar stands ready to work with the government in exploring the possibilities and potential of this multi-layered PIL approach, utilising our Innovation Framework," it also stated, adding that the company is inviting public sector entities to engage in dialogue and explore the potential of a PIL ecosystem tailored to Qatar's development goals.

Gulf Times