Strengthening partnerships and collaborative learning in social systems to improve evidence-informed policies in LMICs

The partnership for evidence and equity in responsive social systems (PEERSS) aims to advance evidence-informed policymaking, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to address social challenges, with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Partners draw on a range of approaches and tools, including systematic reviews, rapid syntheses of evidence, stakeholder dialogues, and citizen panels, to provide decision-makers with the evidence they need to address key priorities.

A key objective of this project is to support and strengthen collaborative learning among the country teams in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. Four learning and collaboration hubs based in Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Lebanon will provide a structured approach to learning and collaboration. This model will bring together country teams to adopt mutual reflection and learning that combines theoretical and empirical research with current conditions and practical experience to influence evidence-informed policies in the various social systems within these countries.

The project will identify, match, and document technical support and mentorship requirements within the partnership; support the development of a learning strategy, knowledge translation, and critical synthesis of learning; identify, create, and engage opportunities for technical collaboration; and produce ‘stories of change’ that demonstrate specific policy/program changes related to the promotion of evidence-based policymaking. Expected results include improved research-to-policy connections, networks, and policy-change tools.