About Lead at krea university
LEAD at Krea University: Solving Complex Development Challenges and Enhancing Socio-Economic Prosperity
LEAD at Krea University (formerly IFMR LEAD) is an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society with a mission to solve complex development challenges and enhance socio-economic prosperity. The organization has been working towards this goal since its inception in 2008, and has made significant contributions to the field of development research.
The team at LEAD comprises of experts from diverse fields such as economics, public policy, sociology, anthropology, psychology, management and engineering. This interdisciplinary approach enables them to tackle complex problems from multiple perspectives and come up with innovative solutions.
One of the key strengths of LEAD is its focus on evidence-based research. The organization conducts rigorous studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods to generate insights that can inform policy decisions. Their research covers a wide range of topics such as financial inclusion, education, health care delivery systems, agriculture value chains etc.
LEAD also places great emphasis on capacity building. They work closely with government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to build their capacity in areas such as monitoring & evaluation (M&E), data analysis & visualization etc. This helps these organizations become more effective in their work by enabling them to make evidence-based decisions.
Another important aspect of LEAD's work is its engagement with communities. They believe that sustainable development can only be achieved if it is driven by the people themselves. Therefore they involve communities in all stages of their projects - from problem identification to implementation - so that they can take ownership over the solutions developed.
Over the years LEAD has worked on several high-impact projects across India and other developing countries. Some notable examples include:
1) Improving access to finance for small businesses: In partnership with various banks & microfinance institutions (MFIs), LEAD conducted a study on how small businesses could be better served by financial institutions. Based on the findings, they developed a set of recommendations that were implemented by the partner organizations. This led to an increase in the number of small businesses accessing finance and improved their financial viability.
2) Enhancing maternal & child health: LEAD conducted a study on the factors affecting maternal & child health in rural areas of India. Based on the findings, they developed an intervention program that focused on improving access to healthcare services and promoting healthy behaviors among mothers. The program was implemented in partnership with local NGOs and resulted in significant improvements in maternal & child health indicators.
3) Strengthening agricultural value chains: LEAD worked with farmers' cooperatives to improve their bargaining power vis-a-vis buyers. They did this by providing training on quality control, post-harvest management etc., as well as facilitating linkages between farmers and buyers. This led to better prices for farmers and improved market access.
LEAD's work has been recognized both nationally and internationally. They have received several awards for their contributions to development research including the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative & Effective Institutions.
In conclusion, LEAD at Krea University is a leading research organization that is making significant contributions towards solving complex development challenges and enhancing socio-economic prosperity. Their evidence-based approach, interdisciplinary expertise, focus on capacity building and community engagement make them a valuable partner for governments, NGOs and other stakeholders working towards sustainable development goals.