Our Scope
Public Policy Innovation
At the SDG Innovation Lab we use unconventional approaches such as data science, behavioral science, and design thinking to tackle persistent development problems or improve solutions that already exist. The SDG Lab runs experiments to provide evidence-based recommendations to the government on what would work versus not work in Armenia, thereby stimulating the introduction of impactful solutions to development issues.
Public Service Innovation
Our Lab helps the Government to be more responsive to changes when technology is developing exponentially. We create and test tools, redesign processes and digitalize public services to meet expectations of citizens and reimagine the public's experience of interacting with the government. The Lab provides a framework to facilitate the implementation of such innovations.
Our Scope
Public Policy Innovation
At SDG Innovation Lab we use unconventional approaches to tackle persistent development problems or improve solutions that already exist with the goal of “leaving no one behind”. The SDG Lab runs experiments to provide evidence-based recommendations to the government on what would work versus not work in Armenia, thereby stimulating the introduction of impactful interventions to development issues.
Innovative Financing
Our Lab helps to explore opportunities that can help mobilise new funding sources for development (such as Crowdfunding or Diaspora Bonds) to meet the SDGs. We design and test new instruments capable of engaging public and private capital in the drive to overcome the funding gap for development activities. The Lab provides a framework to facilitate the implementation of such instruments.
Behavioral Experimentation
In the field of development, we tend to assume, because we are experts of certain fields, that what we know/believe to work, will eventually generate impact. What we may overlook, is that whatever we do has to do with humans and their complex behaviours, which are not always rational and may need to be nudged towards certain directions to ensure the desired effect.
We use findings from psychology, sociology, law, neuroscience, and economics to better understand human behavior and the choices we make.
This way, we can design interventions and test which nudges best work for behavioral change — choosing healthy diet, taking medicine, or saving money. The results help inform public policy, ameliorate public services, and improve the lives of citizens.
Our Services
Innovation at its best
Data Science
People increasingly rely upon online digital services to facilitate key aspects of their lives, and data scientists apply computational technologies to study and develop tools using the data footprint generated through these online activities. Armenia is no exception to the global trend․
Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing are widely used for the major projects undertaken at the Lab, including the projects that ameliorate citizen-government correspondence, improve maternal health, develop sustainable tourism, bridge education to the labor market, and so much more.
Design Thinking
One of the underlying principles of the Lab is to make sure that all the products are created with the user in mind. Design Thinking helps us in the process of questioning: questioning the problem, questioning the assumptions, and questioning the implications.
With a human-centered core, design thinking is premised in developing a deep empathy towards people for whom we are designing a solution, and on unlocking our creative potential to co-design and test those solutions with our stakeholders and users.
SDG
Our Services
Innovation at its best
Behavioral Experimentation
Psychological, social, cultural factors can drive individual decisions. Through small, subtle interventions – or nudges- that influence behavior in a way that benefit individual and public.
Data Science
We harness data for sustainable development, whether it be creating a tool to conduct sentiment analysis on Armenia’s tourist services; developing an integrated digital solution for agriculture; or building a platform, which will help students make better-informed decisions and plan their career journeys.
Learning and Development
At the SDG Lab we demonstrate the value of experimentation to public servants and build knowledge of our adopted methods and approaches through full-fledged and hands-on workshops.
What does SDG in our Lab's name stand for?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The Government of Armenia signed on to Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015.
The complexity and interconnectedness of SDGs require novel approaches, methodologies, strong data systems, and institutions that would have the capacity to provide ‘out of the box’ solutions that bring about transformative impact.
In view of this complexity, the Armenia National SDG Innovation Lab was set up in November 2017 to draw upon innovative methodologies from across the world to support and accelerate the SDG implementation process.
Our News
Aug 07
"Data through time: Armenia 21" Other exhibition by CRRC
During the side-event, we presented the story behind data collection for our Edu2work platform.
Jul 30
Digital Readiness Assessment
For the first time, UNDP SDG Innovation Lab is conducting a Digital Readiness Assessment in Armenia.
Jun 21
SDG Lab's experiment was featured in the UN Behavioral Science Report
Our experiment that increased the take-up rate of cervical cancer screenigs in Shirak region of Armenia was featured among 100's of applications of behavioral science at the United Nations around the globe.