Action-Research constitutes ARCO’s core activity. Why “action”? We strongly believe that one of the main objectives of research is to have a positive impact on the well-being of society by affecting various policies and actions. We handle all phases of the research process — from methodology development and data collection to policy recommendations and the presentation of results.
Tools and approaches
We use both quantitative and qualitative methods. We often adopt a participatory approach that actively involves the beneficiaries.
The participatory approach allows us to achieve optimal results and plan interventions and activities that best meet the needs of beneficiaries.
- Action-research
- Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach
- Human Rights-Based Approach
- Stakeholder engagement & participatory approaches
- Multidimensional perspective
- Co-design /co-creation approaches
- Evidence-based approach
- “Leave no one behind”
Theoretical background
Our work is inspired by the Capability Approach. This specific perspective was developed by the Economic Sciences Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen, and represents the theoretical foundation of sustainable human development.
This approach holds that the well-being of individuals is one of the main objectives of socio-economic development. The capability approach does not simply focus on wealth and GDP as measures of well-being and development, but rather emphasises capabilities and opportunities —what people can do with the resources they have.
Applying the capabilities approach to our activities allows us to adopt a multidimensional perspective that takes into account cultural, social, and economic dynamics.
Services
The research centre works in seven research Units 7 operating in close synergy with each other to provide high-level services.
Simply put, ARCO is a one-stop shop! We offer a wide variety of services, including support to designing and planning interventions, project implementation, evaluating results and communication. This approach allows clients and partners to reduce the costs of coordinating with more than one service provider, and to strengthen the quality of interventions.
EU-funded research projects
ARCO is currently involved in numerous EU-funded Horizon projects.
With many years of research and experience, gained through collaboration with various partners and in a range of contexts, ARCO’s research team can give substantial contributions to the debate on moving beyond GDP-centred models in favour of sustainable and inclusive wellbeing.