Regional hub for knowledge translation and evidence-informed policymaking in West Africa – Francophone countries in Africa

IDRC is supporting two African sub-regional hubs for knowledge translation and evidence-informed policymaking. The West Africa hub will strengthen country-level knowledge translation ecosystems to promote knowledge translation and the systematic use of evidence in the formulation, implementation, evaluation and scaling up of development policies, plans, programs and projects. Specifically, the hub will improve gender-responsive policy outcomes with regards to reproductive health and the transition to low-carbon economies, among others. It will also contribute to a collaborative learning network in sub-Saharan Africa.

To achieve this aim, the project will work on four fronts: training and capacity strengthening for individuals and institutions involved in the production and use of evidence; knowledge mobilization support to facilitate access to quality evidence; a technical support program to institutionalize and create a framework and culture of use of evidence in the countries of focus (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo); and building a community of practice to facilitate co-learning and knowledge sharing between and within target countries.

This project is funded through the Partnership for Evidence and Equity in Responsive Social Systems (PEERSS2) - renamed the Learning together to advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking (LEEPS). LEEPS aims to strengthen the knowledge translation ecosystem in Africa. It also aims to promote the institutionalization of evidence-informed policy making. The LEEPS program is jointly funded by the Hewlett Foundation and IDRC.