ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Vikāra Institute, formerly operating as EcoVentures International, is a non-profit, process-driven learning and technical inquiry organization accelerating inclusive development to support resilient and growing systems.
For International Development, the evolution of systems thinking has been somewhat erratic. As these pockets have evolved, a gap in the way to connect, learn and combine advocacy efforts has evolved alongside them. The Vikāra Institute has evolved, primarily as an informal network that has connected these various pockets, developing learning and sharing tools and tactics, and actively communicating about and advocating for the value of systems thinking. The Vikāra Institute is now formally organized around a combination of support services that are central to creating a more powerful attractor around how to deal with complex social challenges, including market, political, health, education, youth and environmental challenges.
Explore more about what Market Systems Development is below.
MEET OUR TEAM
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Dumisani Nyoni
Harare, Zimbabwe
Dr. Ted Thomas
California, USA
Nancy Fischer
Washington D.C., USA
Dr. Gwen el Sawi
Maryland, USA
TEAM MEMBERS
Michael Field
SENIOR SYSTEMS THINKING SPECIALIST
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Ana Bilik
SENIOR ASSOCIATE: STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIPS
Washington, D.C., USA
Suzanne Brennan
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Washington, D.C., USA
Sabrina Haque
AGRICULTURAL & CONSERVATION ANALYST
London, UK / Bangladesh
Abigail Martuscello
PROGRAM OFFICER
Atlanta, GA, USA
Bronté McDonald
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Cape Town, South Africa
Katherine Stahl
LEARNING SUPPORT
Washington, D.C., USA
Katende Robert
ASSOCIATE
Kampala, Uganda
Elizabeth Dunn
MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING CONSULTANT
Gainesville, Florida
Jim Wallace
FINANCIAL ASSOCIATE
Washington, D.C., USA
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Market Systems, Value Chain & Entrepreneurial EcoSystems:
In our work, we aim to use systems lenses to catalyze change in value chains and entrepreneurial ecosystems leading to more competitive, inclusive and resilient market systems that can deliver more varied pathways out of poverty.
Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition:
Our work in food security and nutrition often interconnects with our work in value chain and agricultural market systems as we focus on using system lenses and thinking to leverage market forces to deliver improved outcomes in food security and nutrition.
Health & Social Systems:
Similar to our work in food security and nutrition, we use system lenses and thinking to leverage market forces to deliver improved outcomes in health and social wellbeing.
Market-led Education, Livelihood, Enterprise & Workforce Development:
Our work in market-led education, livelihood, enterprise and workforce development is interconnected with our work in market systems. Through the application of systems thinking approaches, we leverage change in market systems that better align market forces leading to improved outcomes in education and labor market systems.
Climate Adaption & Natural Resource Management:
Similar to our work in food security, nutrition, health and social systems, we use system lenses and thinking to leverage market forces to deliver improved climate adaptation and natural resource management outcomes.
Youth, Women & Other Vulnerable Groups:
Central to our application of systems thinking and approaches is the understanding that market systems require increased inclusivity in order to be competitive and resilient. In this regard, we also use systems lenses and frameworks to understand and lower barriers for improved access and equal rights, all leading to greater inclusivity.