The Center for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD) is a Kenyan-based non-profit organisation registered as a company limited by guarantee with statutes to promote people-centred research and development. Based in northern Kenya, it works with pool of professionals from the region to develop and implement research and development that contribute to sustainable livelihoods for communities living in the drylands. CRDD promotes evidence-based approaches to address the complex situations in dryland development, with emphasis on integration of knowledge from academic and local communities to co-develop and implement innovations with close community and stakeholder involvement. Thus, CRDD places the local communities at the centre in developing and implementing contextualised, holistic solutions to local challenges. This is a departure from practices where the role of local communities has remained peripheral, mostly as information providers.

CRDD’s priority areas of engagement include:-
• Promoting sustainable livelihoods in the drylands
• Strengthening institutional capacities at community and local government level
• Improving knowledge and information management and dissemination
• Strengthening enabling policy and institutional environment

The current area of geographical focus of CRDD is Marsabit and Isiolo Counties of northern Kenya.