9 April 2015

Danida publishes report on support to development research 2014

The overall objective of Danish support to development research is to strengthen research capacity in priority countries and to create new knowledge capable of alleviating development problems.

The total commitment to develop research during 2014 amounted to DKK 169 million. Of this, DKK 150 million was allocated to North- and South-driven research collaboration projects, while smaller amounts were granted as core funding to the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and United Nations University – World Institute on Development Economic Research (UNU WIDER). A last commitment of DKK 7 million was granted for minor studies, before the scheme was closed down by the end of 2014.

Assessment procedures for South-driven applications were further developed, and in Tanzania, Ghana and Nepal well-functioning panels were assessing and shortlisting applications before these were passed on to the Consultative Research Committee for Development Research (FFU). An attempt was made to ensure that the themes for North- and South-driven research project better complement each other.

Activities funded by previous multi-year grants continued and of these, the Building Stronger Universities programme was both the largest in terms of funding and the most demanding in terms of coordination and dialogue with the many partners involved. During 2014, the second phase of the programme got off to a very good start.

The cooperation among research departments in the ministries in the Nordic countries(Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark) was consolidated in the form of half-yearly meetings to coordinate support to international research organisations and to share experience for mutual inspiration.

Finally, the strategic framework for Danish support to development research was formally approved and published in April 2014.