Introduction
Where do innovation and grassroots wisdom meet? At GAP Labs.
Global Action on Poverty (GAP) launched its “Labs” initiative to create collaborative spaces where social entrepreneurs work alongside students, researchers, and experts to prototype solutions to real-world problems.
It’s more than a brainstorming session — it’s co-creation in action.
What Is GAP Labs?
GAP Labs brings together:
- GAP Changemakers
- Academic institutions (like IIM Bangalore, Ashoka University, TISS)
- Corporate volunteers
- Sector experts
Together, they work on a live challenge posed by a Changemaker — from digitizing supply chains to redesigning sanitation infrastructure.
The Process
Each Lab runs for 8–10 weeks and includes:
- Problem scoping with the Changemaker
- Team formation across domains
- Solution design with sprints and checkpoints
- Prototype testing with end-users
- Showcase and review
Real Example: Building a Digital Dashboard for Education NGO
Changemaker Rajiv runs an education nonprofit in rural Bihar and struggled with tracking student attendance across centers. Through GAP Labs at Ashoka University, a team of 4 students built a mobile-friendly dashboard that now saves his team 20+ hours a week.
Other GAP Lab Highlights:
- Women’s safety tech toolkit co-created in Jharkhand
- Bamboo cold storage prototype tested in Odisha
- Legal rights chatbot piloted with urban migrants in Delhi
Why GAP Labs Works
- Grounded: Starts from real problems
- Diverse: Combines tech, design, sociology, business
- Inclusive: Changemaker is not the “client” but the co-creator
- Scalable: Solutions are built for replication
The Power of Applied Learning
Students and fellows from academic partners gain:
- Real-world problem-solving experience
- Exposure to grassroots realities
- Purpose-driven teamwork
As one student put it: “I came to teach. I ended up learning.”
Conclusion
In an age of information overload, GAP Labs reminds us that the best innovation happens not in isolation but in conversation — with the people most affected. It’s where humility meets creativity. And where impact begins.
