Joy Ilamon is the director of Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KIlA). He completed his Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery from Government Medical College Trivandrum and Masters in Public Health (MPH), Achutha Menon Centre for Health Sciences Studies, SreeChitra Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology. He has spearheaded many government projects. He has been awardedthe National Resource Person of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for decentralised participatory planning by Panchayats (GPDP), Key trainer for SDGs and Local Governments. He was included in the UNDP Democratic Governance Roster of Experts in Local Governance and Local Development. He was awarded the Outstanding Community Builder award by UNDP India in 2007. He was the core team member and Technical Advisor for the South Asia Climate Proofing and Growth Development (CPGD) – Climate Change Innovation Programme (CCIP)