About Urban Ethnographers

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Urban Ethnographers image 19

Who are we?

We are a boutique development consulting firm specialising in providing advisory support to social enterprises, NGOs, governmental organisations, universities, and policy research institutes on a range of social development and public policy matters.

We empower them by designing strategies, interventions, and capacity-building programmes, with a focus on CSR proposals and excellence in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL).

Our Vision – To be the leading catalyst for inclusive urban transformation, empowering communities through data-driven insights, innovative strategies, and impactful partnerships that shape equitable and sustainable cities.

Key Elements of the Vision:

1. Inclusivity and Equity – Focus on amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and addressing systemic inequities in urban development.

2. Data-Driven Decision-Making – Use ethnographic research, participatory methodologies, and advanced analytics to inform policies and programs.

3. Sustainability and Innovation – Pioneer sustainable urban solutions by integrating cutting-edge technologies and green practices into urban planning and governance

4. Partnership-Driven Impact – Serve as the backbone organization for stakeholders across sectors, facilitating collaboration and scaling sustainable interventions.

5. Capacity Building and Learning – Strengthen urban systems through knowledge sharing, training, and adaptive strategies that build resilience among local institutions and communities.

6. Women-Led Transformation – Champion gender-responsive urban policies and interventions by leveraging the expertise and lived experiences of its all-women team.

Experience The Best
Research and Advisory
for Urban Communities

Community Development

Empowering Communities through Community Development

Policy Research

Informing Policy through Evidence-based Research and Advisory

Practice-based Research

Improving Practice through Practice-based Research and Advisory

Program Research

Evaluating Programs through Program Research and Advisory

What we do?

We are involved in a varied spectrum of programs within the informal economy and livelihoods sector, including:

Conducting exploratory research to inform area of intervention and program design

Guiding civil society organisations to set processes and build capacity

Monitoring program implementation and evaluating program outcomes

Building a repository of district-level data on labour market conditions of various sectors

Conducting in-depth research and contributing to policy papers

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Urban Ethnographers image 22

Why Study the Urban?

Cities are traditionally known to be influential junctions for cross-cultural interactions and the movement of new ideas. They have historically served as hubs for the institution and sustenance of political-economic powers and continue to do so in the modern world. Such urban hotspots function as the ideal catalyst for different cultures to emerge, cooperate, merge and affect change. And it is at these urban intersections that we like to position the basis of our inquiries.

In developing economies like India, the majority of urban workers hail from ‘informal’ or ‘unorganised’ sectors. Understanding such urban informal employment, therefore, becomes a critical entry point to understanding and encouraging inclusive cities and sustainable development for all.