About us
The Ecuadorian Development Research Lab (LIDE) is an independent, non-partisan research center dedicated to promoting public policies rooted in scientific evidence. Founded in 2020 by Alonso Quijano Ruiz and Marco Faytong Haro, LIDE focuses on scientific production and dissemination in various fields, including health, education, labor, credit markets, and governance. We establish partnerships with governments, NGOs, and private organizations to promote the design and implementation of initiatives with scientific rigor. Our goal is to provide relevant and useful information to enhance the impact of these policies on impoverished populations.
We implement experimental and quasi-experimental methods to measure the effects of public policies and assess whether an intervention had a positive impact on the intended outcomes. With the support of a network of Ecuadorian scientists and international affiliates, we actively contribute to the fight against poverty and to promoting the country’s social development. We communicate data in a clear, academic, transparent, and reproducible manner, seeking to raise awareness among diverse audiences about the importance of using scientific research in decision-making and policy formulation.
In addition to research and scientific dissemination, LIDE also offers free academic and professional training programs for vulnerable and historically marginalized communities. With funding from the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador and support from DataCamp, in 2023 we established the New Dimensions program, enabling low-income women to study business intelligence. In 2024, we launched the Young Researchers Fellowship to train young scientists from disadvantaged communities. This year, with the support of the University of Minnesota, we introduced a new English learning program for students at public universities.
Our mission and activities
Our mission is to promote evidence-based policymaking through the production and dissemination of scientific studies. We employ rigorous methods to measure the impact of programs and policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving the living conditions of disadvantaged communities. We carry out our mission through the following activities:
We measure the impact of social programs and public policies through experimental and quasi-experimental techniques. Experimental methods involve selecting a sample of the population and randomly dividing it into two groups: one that receives the program (treatment group) and another that does not (control group). In this way, any differences observed between the two groups at the end of the intervention can be attributed to the program itself rather than to external factors.
Quasi-experimental methods are used when it is not possible to divide people randomly. Instead, we rely on “natural” comparisons. For example, we may compare individuals who, due to external rules (such as age, place of residence, or income level), qualify for the program with others who, under the same rules, do not. This approach allows us, even without random assignment, to identify comparable groups and measure whether the program truly had an effect.
We establish partnerships with public institutions, private entities, and civil society organizations to expand our reach and strengthen our ability to address complex social challenges. These collaborations allow us to pool resources, knowledge, and expertise, thereby amplifying the impact of our initiatives.
In addition, we provide technical advisory services and training programs for policymakers and program implementers. Our goal is to improve the effectiveness of these initiatives by ensuring they are supported by scientific evidence and contribute tangibly to the well-being of communities.
We promote training programs that aim to open academic and professional opportunities for young Ecuadorians from vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.
In 2023, with funding from the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador and support from DataCamp, we launched the New Dimensions program, which provides scholarships for low-income women to study business intelligence and strengthen their skills in the labor market. One year later, in 2024, we introduced the Young Researchers Fellowship, our flagship program that provides aspiring young researchers with intensive training in scientific methods, policy evaluation, and academic writing, preparing them for postgraduate studies abroad and empowering them as future academic leaders. In 2025, with the support of the University of Minnesota, we launched an English learning program aimed at students from public universities. This international collaboration has expanded participants’ educational and professional opportunities, connecting them with global academic and professional environments.
To date, LIDE has awarded more than 200 scholarships and trained over 50 research fellows, who are now actively contributing to Ecuador’s social and academic development.