The red barn at Shamba Events, venue for the Humanitarian Innovation Forum 2025

Humanitarian Innovation Forums 2025

Elrha · Trademark Hotel and Shamba Events, Nairobi · 11^th–13^th February and May 2025

2Global forums in 2025

~150Participants each

3Days each

UnconferenceFormat

The moment

In February 2025 the Humanitarian Innovation Forum brought innovators, decision makers and funders together to work through some of the foundational questions in humanitarian action. It was designed for participation rather than presentation, with the aim of leaving with shared ambitions, actionable commitments and lasting connections. Waridi partnered with Elrha to create the physical environment that made that possible.

Selected, then selected again

Waridi was chosen through a competitive tender to lead event management for Elrha: venue selection and contracting, event set-up including AV and technical production, travel bookings and on-site delivery. After the February forum, Elrha brought us back for a second global forum in May 2025, again for around 150 people over three intensive days.

Designing an unconventional forum

The brief asked for a setting far from hotel formality. Shamba Events offered open grounds, rustic barns and converted stables. Breakout sessions ran as fishbowl discussions in the barns, and ideas and takeaways went up on pinboards built into the walls, including a Wall of Wonder. A live mural grew over the three days, conversation menus helped people find each other, and the outdoor setting kept people moving and talking between sessions.

Intentional design and minimal waste

Intentionality and sustainability shaped every choice. Branding was restrained, with simple signage and subtle visual cues in place of heavy print or large installations. Furniture and staging used warm, woody tones, the stage was fully accessible from the start, and local materials were used wherever possible, including beaded lanyards made through a community-led social impact initiative. The result was a thoughtful setting that never felt over-produced.

Small by design, complex underneath

At around 150 participants each, the forums were intentionally small, but the unconference format demanded flexible room layouts, quick transitions between sessions and responsive facilitation support. Waridi handled venue coordination, spatial planning, vendor oversight and onsite flow, so that over three days participants could focus on candid discussion, solving problems together and making commitments for what comes next.

2forums

~150participants each

3days each

2venues

Services

Project management Venue selection Vendor management Event branding Event décor Event registration and accreditation Technical production Visa and accommodation coordination

The Waridi team demonstrated clear expertise and capacity throughout the planning and execution phases. They were highly responsive, consistently reliable, and a pleasure to work with.

Simon PickardSenior Portfolio Manager, Elrha

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