About us
Collaborating on breakthrough ideas for a new vision of development
D^2 (D-Squared) is a co-creation hub for advancing data innovation to address sustainable development challenges. We partner with public bodies and civil society, to study and surface their unique needs, crafting people-centred data solutions that are purpose-built for realities on the ground.
Guided by in-house data experts, our lean innovation framework places local actors and partners at the centre of collaborative experimentation, ensuring that our strategies and solutions are responsive to the needs of the people they are designed to support.
Our data innovation tracks form the central pillars of our work:
As a division of GFA Consulting Group, one of Europe’s leading development consultancies, we draw on 40 years of expertise working with partners across continents, sectors and institutions. We recognise that fresh perspectives and new visions are essential for tackling many of the rapidly evolving challenges of the landscape. Housed within GFA’s Digital Innovation Unit (DIU), we work across domains, assembling agile, cross-functional teams to swiftly prototype tailored solutions, refine processes, and devise strategies.
How we work
We foster a collaborative space where a diverse array of expertise from multiple sectors and varied backgrounds converge to rapidly prototype custom tools, processes and strategies. This participatory approach ensures that the solutions we develop are not only context-appropriate, but also highly effective and sustainable for the long term. Our team’s data innovation framework employs established design-thinking principles.
Still curious?
If you’d like to know more about our process, fields of expertise or general inquiries about how D^2 can partner with your team to achieve your development project goals, get in touch with one of our consultants for an exploratory call now.
Virginia Barberis
Innovation Consultant
virginia.barberis@gfa-group.de
+49 170 3746520
Philipp Schreiber
Data Science Consultant
philipp.schreiber@gfa-group.de
+49 151 74524027
The D^2 innovation pipeline
Every project begins with a deep dive into the unique context. Through swift research and discussions, we connect with stakeholders to grasp the human stories behind the data, ensuring a thorough understanding of the challenge.
In this collaborative phase, we work with stakeholders to shape the project according to their needs. We leverage existing data and, if needed, collect new data to frame and explore the problem.
Utilising rapid insights, we generate ideas that inform design and strategic approaches, so that stakeholders from across the project ecosystem can brainstorm new creative directions.
Moving from concept to action, we turn ideas into simple prototypes. This iterative process allows for early testing and feedback, ensuring solutions are practical and are adapted to the realities of the local context.
On-the-ground pilots are conducted to evaluate how well the prototypes deliver measurable improvements for target groups. Learning data and stakeholder feedback fuels continuous improvement of solutions to ensure they meet their intended needs.
With testing results, we support the roll-out of proven data solutions through knowledge transfer, skill-building and strong partnerships, ensuring they can be independently and sustainably managed long into the future.