Laboratory Support for Researchers

The concept of social lab is an effective way to minimize venture risk against unforeseen operational failure of any project. As we experience situations where more and more governments, multilateral donors, NGOs, and corporations are getting involved in addressing complex social problems like food security, inequality, youth unemployment and business failures, these efforts are not working as desired. ALL BD established social labs to test implementation hindrances.

Over the last decades, a growing impetus has been given to more experimental approach to address complex challenges of time. They don’t ask donors to invest in a plan. They ask for investments in a diverse team, which then manages a portfolio of ideas. It is the talent that matters, and the process of iteration, trial and error, not a fixed plan that has little chance of success.

At the heart of this action based concept is a phenomenon known as a social laboratory. Social labs focus on innovating practical actions to address complex social challenges. They have three characteristics:

1. Social labs involve diverse stakeholders, including the people impacted.
2. They are experimental, relying on trial and error to create and manage a portfolio that guides investment decisions. A planning approach can put all its eggs in one basket.
3. They take a systems-based approach that addresses challenges at a root-cause level.