Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Monday announced US$30 million in grants to 24 think tanks in East and West Africa.
The Think Tank Initiative (TTI) will support independent policy think tanks in developing countries, enabling them to provide sound research that informs and influences national policy. The three donors have committed a total of US$90 million to the initiative.
A statement from Bill and Melinda Gates on said the partners made the announcement during the annual meetings of the African Development Bank and were joined by executive directors of two think tanks from Senegal and Tanzania.
It noted that policymakers in developing countries often lacked credible, objective information to address increasingly complex social and economic issues.
"Independent think tanks can play a critical role in supplying this information and improving the national debate about policy options. TTI will give core funding to local think tanks, helping them produce high-quality research that will lead to better policies and, ultimately, more equitable and prosperous societies," the statement said.
"The value of providing think tanks with enduring, long-term support cannot be overstated," said Rohinton Medhora, IDRC's vice president, Programs. "Predictable core funding gives institutions the certainty and continuity they need to build skills that can lead to path-breaking work and constructive public policy influence."
The statement the initiative received nearly 300 proposals from a wide range of African think tanks that focus on broad national, social, and economic policy issues.
It said following a thorough and rigorous review process, 24 think tanks were selected from 11 East and West African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.
"The core support provided by the Think Tank Initiative will allow us to strengthen our research program, enhance our communications strategy, and further invest in effective partnerships and networks, therefore helping us towards fulfilling our mission of building research and analysis capacity in Senegal," said Abdoulaye Diagne, the executive director of Senegal's Consortium pour la Recherche Economique et Sociale, one of the 24 institutions selected to receive TTI support.
The Think Tank Initiative is envisioned as a long-term investment over at least 10 years. For the first five years, IDRC has made a commitment of US$10 million, while the Hewlett Foundation has committed US$40 million and the Gates Foundation has committed US$40 million.
"We believe good national development policy decisions are best made when informed by robust research and analysis grounded in local realities," said Mark Suzman, director of policy and advocacy for the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"The Think Tank Initiative marks an important step forward in helping forge stronger partnerships between researchers and policymakers in the developing world. We believe it is a powerful model for achieving change and hope that other donors will join us in this initiative to help improve the lives and livelihoods of millions of people."