‘In a world where excess seems to be the norm, the concept of frugality stands out like a beacon of simplicity.’

This need clearly extended beyond the African continent and beyond economically marginalized communities. In recognition of this, in 2021 the CFIA became the International Centre for Frugal Innovation (ICFI). In the decade since its foundation, the centre has evolved into an important hub for research, education and knowledge exchange within this budding discipline, linking it to a variety of themes and international societal challenges.

Over the years, the centre has established an international network with hubs in Kenya and India, where groups of researchers collaborate with firms, local governments and civil organizations. The Kenyan Hub (Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research), for instance, is a crucial partner and – as an example - hosts the ICFI urban development programme.

Frugality as a virtue and frugal innovation

As the name indicates, at the base of frugal innovation lies frugality, an ancient value rooted in different spiritual traditions that has transcended physical, time-related and cultural boundaries. Monks and religious people all over the world practice it in different forms of asceticism, self-restriction or ‘voluntary simplicity’. Alongside frugality as part of spiritual ethos and practices, it also features as a rational and practical value in many ancient traditions.

‘…the value of frugality takes on renewed significance as we confront the pressing need for sustainability and responsible consumption’

There is also a connection of frugality to prosperity and material welfare made explicit within the works of Benjamin Franklin, Adam Smith, Alfred Marshall and Max Weber. The latter advocated that private frugality as a virtuous way of accumulating capital by saving would increase national wealth and offset wastefulness. In the immediate post-war era onward, frugality emerged as a vital value in Dutch and broader European contexts.

This ethos prioritized mindful resource allocation, simplicity in products and a rejection of wastefulness, as well as fostering a ‘do-it-yourself’ mentality, promoting sustainability, resourcefulness and self-sufficiency. In essence, the association of frugality with Dutch identity reflects a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources and resilience in the face of adversity.

In today's interconnected world, the value of frugality takes on renewed significance as we confront the pressing need for sustainability and responsible consumption. While advancements in technology and globalization have granted more people access to material wealth in some parts of the world, this trajectory is not sustainable in the long run. The ethos of frugality offers a forward-looking perspective, urging us to reassess our relationship with resources and the environment. Despite the allure of abundance, it is necessary to acknowledge that unchecked consumption is not without consequences, leading to ecological degradation and social inequality – to name a few.

‘The ethos of frugality offers a forward-looking perspective, urging us to reassess our relationship with resources and the environment.’

Therefore, embracing frugality is not a return to austerity; by adopting frugality as a principle, we not only contribute to sustainability but also enhance our lives in manners beyond monetary acquisition.

Frugal innovation is an alternative perspective that can profoundly change the ideas of what innovation could be. Not only in terms of tangible end-products but also in terms of sources of knowledge, business models, actors involved, governance and the institutional and policy environment. About smart, simple and affordable solutions, its main premise is that extreme resource constraints inform the process, outcomes and value of innovation. It is a multidisciplinary approach to innovation that goes beyond a focus on technology to integrate entrepreneurial, environmental and socioeconomic considerations. As part of this, local ideas, knowledge and resources are highly valued. It is about doing more, for more people, with fewer resources.

ICFI’s goal is to generate and exchange scientific and experiential knowledge to understand how frugality and frugal innovation can help address major global societal challenges and to contribute to positive outcomes for society. ICFI analyses how and when frugality and frugal innovations contribute to positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for society and what this implies for the roles of various societal actors such as innovators, designers, (social) entrepreneurs, commercial firms, policy makers and consumers/end-users. Technological and research projects are used to investigate the development of scientifically sound frameworks that lead to a more effective use of frugal innovations.

10 years of ICFI

'Research on frugal innovation has the potential to bring innovation as (inclusive) appropriation into sharp focus because it shifts the burden of explanation away from technology and design success alone to include the human factor and application contexts.'

Versluys, M.J., & Sluiter, I. (2023). Anchoring: a historical perspective on frugal innovation

In November 2023, ICFI celebrated its journey over the past decade as a research and education institute in the rapidly expanding field of frugal innovation. During a full day of presentations and workshops, ICFI brought together scholars from the three partner universities - Leiden, Delft, Erasmus (LDE) - spanning various fields such as anthropology, business administration and engineering. The diverse range of sessions covered the chapters of The Handbook on Frugal Innovation, which was officially launched by handing a first copy to the President of the Executive Board of Leiden University, Annetje Ottow.

The Handbook on Frugal Innovation contains contributions from a wide range of experts reflecting the versatility and immense potential of a frugal mindset and frugal practices - both in terms of geographical diversity and disciplinary backgrounds - and it promises to be an invaluable resource for academics, policymakers and students seeking a deeper understanding of frugal innovation.

Education and exchange: The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus East Africa Urban Research Network (LEARN) and the ICFI minor

Education and exchange lie at the heart of ICFI's mission, exemplified by initiatives like the minor in Frugal Innovation for Sustainable Global Development and the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus East Africa Research Network (LEARN). In November 2023, the inaugural LEARN symposium took place in Nairobi, hosted by Nuvoni and LDE Global.

LEARN is an emerging research network that brings together multifaceted international academics, policymakers and civil society actors with a primary focus on fostering the coproduction of actionable, practical and impactful urban research. A total of 54 participants from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi and the Netherlands attended the symposium with the goal of curating a space for knowledge co-production, open learning and reflection on urban systems and their lateral linkages. Though in its infancy, the network continues to grow; it is planning several hybrid cross-city dialogues scheduled over the course of this year and hosts the LDE Global Urban Uncovered podcast.

However, LEARN is not only about ‘frugal’ – it also shows how the infrastructure that was built over the last years by ICFI is also of value for other initiatives by the Leiden–Delft–Erasmus Universities.

The minor ‘Frugal Innovation for Sustainable Global Development’ is an exclusive educational initiative tailored for third-year bachelor students from Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities. The unique aspect of this minor lies in its ability to blend theoretical learning with hands-on fieldwork in the form of a 12-week internship where students can challenge preconceived ideas about innovating and actively learn from partners on the ground.

Internship providers are mostly located in the Global South and consist of non-profits (Dutch and local), NGOs and academic research centres. Students undertake a varied array of field assignments, addressing specific societal challenges by applying their growing expertise in social, entrepreneurial and technological domains.

In conclusion, the breadth and depth of activities undertaken by the International Centre for Frugal Innovation underscore the versatility and comprehensive nature of frugal innovation.

‘Frugality … embodies a mindset of mindful spending, resourcefulness and contentment with less.’

Frugality, as demonstrated through ICFI's initiatives, transcends mere penny-pinching or deprivation; it embodies a mindset of mindful spending, resourcefulness and contentment with less. Through its multifaceted approach to research, education and knowledge exchange, ICFI exemplifies the transformative potential of frugal innovation in addressing pressing societal challenges. By fostering collaborations and empowering individuals to creatively navigate resource constraints, ICFI contributes to broader efforts to shape a more sustainable and equitable future.