Share the page
Research in the Global South
Published on
Each country needs to rely on locally produced expertise and innovation to chart its own development trajectory. AFD has therefore adopted an ambitious strategy to support research in partner countries from the Global South, so that this research can inform public debate and policymaking.
The objectives of this research program are threefold:
- Support the production of knowledge
- Promote the development of skills and capacities among researchers in the Global South
- Enhance the visibility of research in AFD's partner countries
Funding research support projects
Supporting national research and the development of research networks in developing countries is a relatively new area of focus for AFD. Most of AFD’s partner countries have research spaces and researchers who produce knowledge (publications, studies, theses, dissertations), sometimes under difficult conditions. However, these national research capacities are often isolated, fragmented, and lack visibility. Furthermore, they rarely contribute to public debate or interact with key societal actors (policy makers, economic players, international, national, and local organizations, NGOs).
Supporting existing research institutions and systems is therefore essential to enable AFD’s partner countries to develop their own capacities to produce the expertise and innovation needed to address their specific challenges. A strong national research base, developed over the long term and better connected to decision-makers, can form the foundation for well-designed public policies and a more informed public debate.
This support is implemented through numerous operational projects across different regions of the world, particularly in Africa.
Key flagship projects include:
- Contributing to the creation of an international African scientific journal to promote research from the continent and increase its visibility: Global Africa
- Supporting the development of high-quality research programs in West Africa: ACE Impact
- Promoting the creation of research institution networks and encouraging regional collaboration: PARTNER
- Building local researcher capacity in education and developing teacher monitoring and evaluation systems, to meet the challenge of rising enrollment: Apprendre
- Having project impact evaluations carried out by local researchers: the PAIRES partnership
In Africa, social science research that supports development policies often relies heavily on international funding, which can cause tensions.
To support this research without causing harm, AFD and the Global Development Network (GDN) have proposed a virtuous funding model based on four principles: simplification, sustainability, subsidiarity, and the right of initiative for beneficiaries, with a focus on strengthening research systems.
Supporting research capacity-building
For several years now, AFD has been supporting research capacity-building in its partner countries through a range of activities: summer schools, methodological workshops, international scientific events, research training programs, etc. These activities aim to:
- Build participants’ capacities, especially among young researchers
- Promote their research work
- Increase the visibility of researchers and the institutions involved
- Create or strengthen research networks
Some examples
AFD researchers are sometimes directly involved in designing or facilitating capacity-building activities, particularly on its priority areas. For example, the rollout of the GEMMES model is tied to capacity building among local research teams.
AFD also supports capacity-building activities led by its partners. For example, it supports the strengthening of the Clermont Hub for International Development (PCDI), which aims to expand and reinforce a regional center of expertise on this topic. Through its research projects, AFD also funds fieldwork grants for young researchers, as well as their participation in methodological sessions or international conferences.
Producing knowledge on research in the Global South
Research in the Global South is now a full-fledged area of knowledge production. Work in this area helps better understand the research ecosystem in developing countries. The goal is to inform the actions of AFD and other donors to improve their effectiveness, with a focus on building national capacities and improving development policies.
AFD thus produces, supports, and coordinates research on research in the Global South. It also organizes events that bring together academics and development practitioners to address issues related to funding, production, and the promotion of research in its countries of operation. The SAFIRE program exemplifies this approach.
