IFSD has singed a Memorandum of Understanding with Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS) to work together on building urban water resilience in Nepal. IFSD is providing technical assistance through global best practices review, designing and implementing locally engaged research, and creating effective science-policy interface. The partnership with SIAS has been an important learning ground for IFSD, and several of the lessons and outcomes from SIAS projects have provided an important basis for IFSD to offer expert assistance to think tanks, policy makers, international programs, and government agencies across Asia and the Pacific.

In November 2019, Australian government agency Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) launched a new Climate Change Action Strategy 2020-2015. This strategy seeks to respond to climate change concerns across DFAT international assistance programs. It aims to support support partner countries to adapt to climate change, promote low-emission development, and support innovative solutions.

Informed by this theory of change, we offer a range of services encompassing applied and strategic research, education and learning, organisational change, policy development, social entrepreneurship, and strategic planning.

Click here to view the full report from the website of DFAT, Government of Australia.

Writing A Policy Brief to Maximise Impact

A powerpoint presentation offering important tips and lessons on how research results can be packaged into a high impact policy brief.

 

 

 

From Research to Policy Impact: Exploring Actionable Areas for Transformation

International agriculture and development research has played a significant role in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable practices of natural resources management in the developing world. However, as independent research evidence highlights, the policy uptake of research in developing countries, regardless of whether the research is nationally driven or internationally supported, is dismally low. This is partly because policy actors and researchers often come from very different political, institutional and epistemological positions, which makes it difficult for the two groups of actors to interact meaningfully and make full use of the research outputs in policy improvement. There is also a limit of what a research work can do in the highly politicised process of policy making. More recently, the context of policy making, and the way policies shape practices, are also rapidly changing, with profound implications on ‘research to policy’ strategies. This presentation identifies five areas that are crucial to catalyze successful research-policy interface in international development. It also shows how research into ‘research-policy interface’ could enhance research systems which have a policy impact goal.