Our Impact - Flying Labs

Flying Labs became operational in 2016. The first 18 months of operations were dedicated to field testing the Flying Labs framework in 3 countries across 3 continents: Nepal, Tanzania and Peru. Since 2018 the “Flying Labs Local Model” enables existing local organizations to join the network. Each Flying Labs autonomously decides on their own activities. This page consolidates our joint impact, and as our collective work evolves, we continue to adapt and extend this page with new indicators.

Latest update of impact numbers: July 2023

We update our page 3 times per year.

The network allows local experts from 30+ countries to grow strong and successful together. Flying Labs are locally-owned and locally-led by existing local organisations. These local experts join the network through the Local Model, an affiliation model designed by WeRobotics. Once part of the network, they are directly connected to each other, sharing lessons learned and best practices, training each other and working on joint projects. Flying Labs also build, facilitate and contribute to local ecosystems.

Network Growth

The Flying Labs network grows organically. It is fully demand/need driven and sustained by existing local organisations.

Currently, the network counts 40 Flying Labs

Local Leadership

Local leaders across Latin America, Africa and Asia are independently leading the activities they choose to implement.

Women make up 26% of the Flying Labs network, double the average industry benchmark of 13% (link to study).

Currently the network brings together 316 local leaders.

Partners

Partnerships are an integral part to Flying Labs’ DNA. Working in close collaboration with local partners allows to create joint impact and tackle and engage in a wide variety of topics and activities thanks to each partner’s individual expertise. Partners range from local non-profit and for-profit organisations to academia, research institutes, government entities, think tanks and innovation centres.

The network currently brings together 274 local partners.

Ecosystem

Building up, facilitating and contributing to local ecosystems is one of the focus areas of Flying Labs. While these activities are mainly self-financed by Flying Labs and done on a volunteer basis, they are key to help build awareness and support for local drone, robotics and AI applications.

Flying Labs have organised 209 local Ecosystem events since 2019.

Flying Labs provide, promote and enable local expertise and leadership to accelerate the positive impact of humanitarian, health, development and environmental solutions. They strengthen local expertise in drones, robotics, data and AI through professional training as well as applications and research/pilot projects they organize for and implement with local partners including government, industry, international organizations, not-for-profit organizations, research centers and universities.

Social Good Projects & Trainings

Professionals Trained

Flying Labs implement a wide array of applications and research/pilot projects across key social good sectors with local and international partners.

Since 2019, Flying Labs have implemented 206 impactful and innovative projects and organised 190 trainings locally.

Flying Labs organize professional drone, data and certification trainings for individuals and a wide array of local partners.

In total, Flying Labs have trained 3,387 professionals locally on integrating drones sustainably into their work since 2019.

Youth/STEM programs

A majority of Flying Labs are developing youth engagement curricula and conducting tailor made programs based on local experiences and knowledge to raise STEM awareness and contribute to gender balance.

SDGs Impacted

All activities of Flying Labs focus on solving local challenges. Each activity contributes to one or several Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, the various activities have contributed to following SDGs.

75% of Flying Labs are implementing their own Youth/STEM programs. Since 2019, 169 programs have been organised.

Sharing and collaboration are the network’s two most important objectives.This includes both openly sharing expertise and knowledge with local stakeholders as well as contributing to the collective intelligence of the network by sharing expertise and collaborating closely with other Flying Labs.

External Knowledge Sharing

Flying Labs share their experience locally by organising and participating in workshops, events, community engagement sessions, conferences and more formats. Local stakeholders range from government officials to professionals of both non-profit and commercial organisations to community members including elders and youth.

Over 38,000 local stakeholders have been engaged since 2019.

Sharing & Collaboration within the Network

Coming together to share and collaborate are two of the most valuable elements of the network. Flying Labs document their experiences to share expertise with their colleagues, collaborate on joint projects and trainings, mentor each other and support each other’s activities through many sharing formats.

Contributions are evaluated once a year through our Flying Labs Global Model.

Joint trainings & projects between Flying Labs 42%

Flying Labs supporting each other actively 42%

Flying Labs creating sharing & learning resources for each other 43%