We are an indigenous youth-led, Pan-African, not-for-profit capacity development think tank, working to influence the use of research and other forms of evidence (knowledge) in the development of policies (evidence-to-policy space) in Africa.
Vision
A Pan-African development process fueled by evidence-informed policies and practice.
Mission
- To conduct research into information systems with the view of optimizing performance.
- To manage knowledge effectively for improved uptake in policymaking and development practice.
- To advocate for evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in our operational areas.
Core Values
- Social Responsiveness
- Trust
- Professionalism
- Collaboration
Focus Area and Programmes
Our work in support to ecosystem governance spans across basic research into ecosystem issues, organisation development interventions (capacity development), and advocacy for ecosystem development.
Research into ecosystem issues
We produce cutting-edge research on ecosystem issues, making use of applicable research paradigms, as may be applicable in each context. Subject matter for our research may include:
- performance diagnosis in knowledge production and use, including business value of evidence use, time availability and use, and finance and resource allocation;
- exploration of contextual factors through political economy analysis;
- detailing information technology issues; and
- examining other ecosystem issues such as organisational strategies, structures, management systems, business processes, and tasks, all aimed at local and wider ecosystem vitality
Knowledge Management for Development interventions
As a value chain activity, knowledge produced from our studies are used in designing interventions for beneficiary organisations, as well as implementing, monitoring, evaluating and learning from these interventions. These interventions may be targeted at individual, organisational or ecosystem levels. Use of knowledge resources produced are effected through two (2) main mediums:
- customising capacity development interventions, and
- producing resources to support capacity development interventions
Advocacy on ecosystem development
Our work also involves providing advocacy services in support of ecosystem development. We deploy and support a blend of initiatives that include:
- strategic meetings with leadership of beneficiary organisations
- breakfast and curtesy meetings
- an annual evidence dinner
- epistemic communities of various kinds
- stakeholder mobilisation and development
- recognitions and awards (e.g. goodwill ambassadors for the evidence community; AELA by the Africa Evidence Network)
- knowledge sharing at various local and international forums