KULAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

— · EIN · crdd-kenya.org

profile · synthesized from sources

The Center for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD) conducts community-centered research, knowledge co-production, and policy influence in Kenya's drylands and the Horn of Africa. It focuses on integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge to support sustainable livelihoods, particularly for pastoralist communities. CRDD also offers capacity building and policy engagement to amplify local voices.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Capacity Development and Learning

Trains and supports dryland actors through the Drylands Summer School, Junior Fellowship Programs, community-based training (participatory mapping, early warning, institutional strengthening), and technical training for county governments, CBOs, and traditional authorities.

Drylands Summer School

An annual program bringing together postgraduate students, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa for learning, dialogue, and field immersion focused on locally grounded perspectives on resilience, governance, and development in the drylands.

Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization

Co-creates and tests new tools, approaches, and narratives for mobile-based early warning, grazing planning, community-designed climate adaptation strategies, storytelling, blogs, visual knowledge sharing, and participatory digital mapping and planning platforms.

Junior Fellowship Programs

Programs designed for emerging dryland researchers to develop their skills and contribute to research.

Policy Engagement and Influence

Ensures knowledge, voices, and priorities of dryland communities inform county development planning, national policies (livestock, climate change, food systems, mobility), and regional/international frameworks on resilience and humanitarian action through dialogues, briefs, and collaborative platforms.

Research and Evidence Co-Production

Conducts policy-oriented, transdisciplinary research on rangeland governance, climate resilience, conflict transformation, gendered adaptation, early warning, food security, and local institutions, engaging communities throughout the research cycle.

activities · 5 groups

what they do

Policy Advocacy & Research for Community Rights 2 activities
- Advocates for integration of community knowledge in policy frameworks
  
  Engages in policy influence efforts to ensure community-based knowledge and practices are integrated into county, national, and international policies on climate, livestock, food systems, and resilience in dryland regions.
- Conducts transdisciplinary research on dryland resilience and pastoralist livelihoods
  
  Conducts research integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge on rangeland governance, climate resilience, conflict transformation, gendered adaptation, and food security in dryland regions. Includes field data collection through interviews, focus groups, and community-led reflections with pastoralist communities in Kenya.
Community-Led Climate Resilience Initiatives 1 activity
- Co-creates and tests innovation tools for community-led adaptation
  
  Develops and pilots mobile-based early warning systems, participatory digital mapping platforms, community-led climate adaptation strategies, and visual storytelling tools in collaboration with local pastoralist communities.
Pastoralist Community Resilience Programs 1 activity
- Implements community-co-designed programs for sustainable dryland livelihoods
  
  Designs and delivers programs in partnership with dryland communities in Kenya, including the co-development of the Vet-App with local pastoralists to support livestock health and livelihoods.
Policy-Oriented Research & Publications 1 activity
- Produces research outputs and knowledge products for policy and practice
  
  Produces comprehensive research reports, policy briefs, concept notes, analysis studies, newsletters, bulletins, blogs, and articles to inform policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and communities on dryland development and climate resilience.
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Delivers capacity-building programs for drylands scholars and practitioners
  
  Offers the Drylands Summer School, junior fellowships, community training in participatory mapping and early warning systems, and technical training for local institutions to strengthen expertise in dryland resilience and sustainable development.

relationships · 4

who they work with

CBOs Partner — Receives technical training and participates in capacity-building and research initiatives.
InfoRange Partner — Team that co-designed a Vet-App with local pastoralists.
county governments Partner — Receives technical training and collaborates on policy and planning initiatives related to dryland resilience.
traditional authorities Partner — Engaged in capacity-building and knowledge co-production efforts.