Strengthening Central African governance think tanks’ capacities in the context of shrinking civic space

 

Think tanks are pivotal engines for stimulating public dialogue and promoting democratic and inclusive governance with the production of timely and policy-relevant research. While other African regions have well-established think tanks and think tank networks, the Central African region currently has very few independent think tanks. This contributes to the lack of an evidence culture in which very few neutral policy recommendations and very little expert advice are made available. This prevents the reform of public policies that would support tangible improvements for everyone, especially women, minorities and other groups that are denied their rightful place in civic life.

Think tanks working at the intersection of democracy, human rights and good governance are particularly challenged given the shrinking civic space in the region. The instability of governance for many Central African countries has contributed to a culture of repression and political interference that is threatening the legitimacy and influence of think tanks. Like many civil society organizations, think tanks face media censorship, the rise of fake news and frequent Internet and social media shutdowns. Limited access to information hinders their ability to monitor government actions, compounded by the lack of institutional channels for meaningful dialogue with governments on policy reforms. 

The overall objective of this project is to strengthen the capacities of four Central African governance think tanks to produce quality research, strengthen their institutional capacity, and navigate the constricting civic spaces in the region. It will also enhance their communication, positioning and networking capacities to inform national and regional policy despite restrictive research environments. Finally, it will generate evidence and lessons on strategies that help them to weather the threats posed by shrinking civic space.