Research Built on
Trust & Rigour
Since 2013, RISD has produced independent, evidence-based research that informs policy and improves lives across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Congolese Voice in Global Research
RISD was founded in 2013 by a group of Congolese researchers who believed that rigorous, independent social research should be led by people who understood the DRC from the inside.
Starting from a small office in Bukavu, the team took on its first evaluation contracts with international NGOs. Within two years, RISD had established partnerships with UNICEF, Harvard University, and Peace Direct.
Today, RISD is recognized as one of the DRC's leading independent research organizations, with a presence across 26 provinces and a team of over 40 researchers and analysts.
A Decade of Impact
RISD Is Founded
Congolese researchers establish RISD to deliver rigorous, locally led social research in the DRC.
Legal Recognition
Provincial registration and national justice recognition establish our formal mandate to operate.
Field Portfolio Expands
We build expertise across mining, protection, agriculture, gender, conflict, and social norms.
Long-Term Research Partnerships
Multi-year assignments deepen our work in youth, education, humanitarian response, nutrition, and public health.
National-Scale Delivery
Governance evaluation, anti-trafficking research, and third-party monitoring extend our reach across multiple provinces.
Evidence at Greater Scale
We lead complex fieldwork in tobacco control, food security, education finance, and household economies.
Our Partners
RISD collaborates with leading international organizations, academic institutions, and local partners to produce research that is both globally rigorous and locally grounded.
USAID
Research and evaluation across governance, youth development, food security, and humanitarian monitoring.
UNICEF
Research supporting humanitarian response and education in acute emergencies in eastern DRC.
Harvard University / BWH
Multi-year studies on mining due diligence, gender, and public health in mining communities.
Development Gateway
National and provincial tobacco-control research for data-informed decision-making.
NORC at the University of Chicago
Qualitative research on countering trafficking in persons across eight DRC provinces.
Wageningen University
Agricultural, food-security, and rural social-network research with households and producers.
Our Team
RISD is built on the expertise of Congolese researchers with deep local knowledge and internationally recognized academic credentials.
Want to Work with RISD?
Whether you are looking to commission research, explore a partnership, or learn more about our work — we would love to hear from you.