Dileep Vardhan Reddy Karna

Dileep Vardhan Reddy Karna, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, India, is a dedicated Senior Researcher at the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI), focused on strengthening global social protection systems and advancing SDGs. With a background in project management and research, he specializes in fostering stakeholder networks and spearheading initiatives in livelihood development, social protection, agriculture, and UN SDGs. Currently serving as the Global Coordinator for EPRI's International Training Programme on Social Protection for Sustainable Development (ITP322), Dileep drives capacity development for public servants and civil society leaders across ten countries in Asia and Africa.

His impactful contributions extend to projects on social protection, public health, COVID-19 response, and expansion of child benefits, collaborating with institutions like the African Development Bank, World Food Programme, UNDP, and UNICEF, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Dileep's diverse background encompasses roles in non-profits and grassroots civil societies in India. He holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, a PG Diploma in Liberal Studies, and a Master’s in Public Administration. Notably, he participated as an SDG talent in the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab 2018, contributing to SDG-6 on Clean Water and Sanitation at the National University of Singapore.