About us
the conflict research & evidence lab
Empowering change through evidence
The Conflict Research and Evidence Lab (CREL) is a women-led organization, dedicated to promoting research and evaluations in fragile and conflict-affected states. Our portfolio includes baseline and evaluation studies, research reports, gender analyses, peace and conflict impact assessments, meta reviews, and feasibility studies. Guided by the conviction that evidence and empowerment are essential drivers of effective action, CREL places a distinct emphasis on evidence generation to bolster the participation, protection, and empowerment of women, as well as other groups particularly disenfranchised by conflict. We actively strive to amplify diversity of perspective and voices, both within our own research and evaluation endeavors and in the broader policy landscape of our clients.
Our approach
Leveraging collaborative partnerships with national and regional experts and consultancy firms, we provide robust data collection capabilities across a variety of contexts. Our extensive networks enable us to swiftly mobilize proficient teams in response to project requirements, ensuring agile project implementation across different regions. The vast majority of consultants engaged in CREL project are women. This intentional choice underscores our commitment to fostering gender equality and amplifying women's voices in peace and security processes.
Our evaluation designs stand out for their versatility; we specialize in (quasi-) experimental, theory-based, and realist evaluation methodologies. While we hold scientific methods in high regard, we understand the intricate nature of social interventions and the importance of considering complexity in evaluations. Thus, we adopt a method-agnostic stance, prioritizing methodologies that best suit the context and objectives of each evaluation. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and open-source solutions such as Kobo Toolbox and R for data collection and statistical computing, we offer reliable and cost-efficient solutions.
.Our track record
Despite being a relatively young organization, CREL boasts a solid track record of successfully executing research projects across a broad spectrum of regions. Our expertise spans Central and South-East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the MENA region, and Eastern Europe, where we have undertaken research and evaluation initiatives in some of the world’s most fragile and challenging contexts, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Myanmar, and the Central African Republic. Driven by our commitment to consistently deliver high-quality work, we have proudly served clients such as the German government (GIZ), the UK Labor Party, and prominent NGOs and policy think tanks. For more detailed information about some of our projects, please visit the corresponding section on this website.
women, peace and Security
As a women-led organization, CREL is committed to advancing the principles of the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda (UNSCR 1325). We offer policy analysis and development, assisting governments and institutions in formulating gender-responsive policies that integrate the principles of women's participation, protection, and empowerment in peace and security processes. Our capacity-building programs provide training and workshops to equip individuals and organizations with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement gender-responsive and gender-transformative approaches in their work.
Moreover, the collective experience of our team members is a cornerstone of our work. Many of us have firsthand experience living and working in conflict-affected regions, providing us with invaluable insights into the realities faced by women and marginalized communities in these contexts. This deep understanding informs our approach and strengthens our ability to address the unique challenges and needs of these populations.