About us

THE CONFLICT RESEARCH & EVIDENCE LAB

COMPANY BACKGROUND

The Conflict Research and Evidence Lab (CREL) is a consultancy firm 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 team is well-versed in a broad range of evaluation methods and techniques, including (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 and R for data collection and statistical computing, we offer reliable and cost-efficient solutions

Services

  • EVALUATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. We specialize in conducting evaluations and impact assessments at the project, program, country and policy level. We pride ourselves in our versatility in evaluation design, offering proficiency in a broad range of evaluation methods and techniques.

  • BASELINE SURVEYS. Our baseline surveys provide crucial initial data to measure the future performance of projects and programs. We ensure thorough and accurate data collection, employing a range of methodologies to establish reliable benchmarks that inform the direction and success of interventions.

  • META-REVIEWS AND EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS. Our commitment to evidence generation extends to harnessing the benefits of meta reviews and other forms of evidence synthesis. By synthesizing evidence from multiple sources and studies, evidence synthesis can offer higher-level insights, enable more robust conclusions and provide a broader perspective on a particular subject area.

  • MONITORING & EVALUATION SERVICES. We assist organizations in tracking and assessing the progress, performance and impact of their work. Our services include the development of indicators, results frameworks and reporting mechanisms, as well as training of project and agency staff in their application. .

  • GENDER ANALYSES. Our gender analyses delve into the root causes of gender inequalities, shedding light on the underlying dynamics that perpetuate disparity and marginalization. By identifying key areas for intervention, we assist our clients in designing targeted strategies that foster inclusive and equitable outcomes. 

  • PEACE AND CONFLICT IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. Peace and conflict impact assessment (PCIA) is a vital  analytical approach used to determine the potential impacts of aid interventions on conflict dynamics and peacebuilding efforts. Through a rigorous PCIA process, we can proactively identify potential risks, ultimately ensuring that interventions are informed, sensitive, and conducive to sustainable peace and stability.

Our track record

Our track record includes successfully executing research projects across a wide spectrum of regions. We have undertaken research and evaluation assignments in some of the world’s most fragile and challenging contexts, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Central African Republic. Driven by a 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. Many of our team members have extensive experience living and working in fragile and conflict-affected states, equipping us with a deep understanding of the intricate nature of these contexts.

women, peace and security

As a women-led organization, CREL is committed to advancing the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda (UNSCR 1325). We offer policy analysis and development, assisting governments, multilateral and non-governmental organizations in formulating gender-responsive and gender-transformative policies that integrate the principles of women's participation, protection, and empowerment in peace and security processes. Through our capacity-building programs, we provide tailored training and workshops designed to equip individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively integrate gender perspectives into their work.