CIRDAP–REEDS Launch International Rural Innovation Challenge 2026

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in partnership with the Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS), on Monday launched the India Regional edition of the CIRDAP–REEDS International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026 in Hyderabad.

Anchored on the theme “One Innovation. Endless Change. Countless Smiles”, the initiative seeks to identify, recognise, and promote proven rural innovations that have demonstrated measurable impact at the grassroots level and possess potential for scale and replication across Asia and the Pacific. The event brought together policymakers, development practitioners, academicians, and civil society leaders from the rural development ecosystem.

Panchayat Raj Minister D. Anusuya alias Seethakka, Bellampally MLA G. Vinod, G. Narendra Kumar, Director General, NIRDPR. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, CIRDAP, and M. Ravindra Vikram, Chairman, REEDS were present. The Innovation Challenge will be supported by an international compendium of selected innovations and an International Conference proposed in Sri Lanka in June 2026.

The programme concluded with an open-house discussion and media interaction, followed by a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Ravi K. Reddy, Secretary, REEDS. The CIRDAP–REEDS International Rural Development Innovation Challenge 2026, a joint initiative of CIRDAP and REEDS, invites practitioners, institutions, entrepreneurs, researchers, development professionals, and grassroots innovators to participate and showcase rural innovations with the potential for scale and replication.