Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme
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LEEPS Project

Africa LEEPS (Learning together to advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking to achieve the SDGs) https://africaleeps.org/

Governments in sub-Saharan Africa face complex challenges, which slow progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While evidence is increasingly available, its use in policymaking is uneven across sectors. Africa LEEPS aims to strengthen the use of evidence in policymaking and promote gender equity in decision-making processes. 

Objectives 

What is the main aim of the project? 

Strengthen knowledge translation- the synthesis, dissemination, and exchange of evidence in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on promoting gender equity at all stages of the policymaking process. 

What are the specific objectives of the project? 

  • To design a platform to support timely sharing of resources and lessons to support timely response to priority and urgent decision and policymaking processes of priority sectoral areas of the SDGs, including clean energy and reproductive health. 
  • To build an evidence base to support local and contextualized decision-making for priority sectoral areas of the SDGs, including clean energy and reproductive health. 
  • To strengthen evidence translation pathways for the timely use of data, research, and information for decision-making in priority sectoral areas of the SDGs, including clean energy and reproductive health. 
  • To build a pool of identified capacities within the demand and supply sides of EIP, both individual and institutional, to enable more timely evidence translation in priority sectoral areas of the SDGs, including clean energy and reproductive health. 

Methodology (in simple terms) 

The project uses collaborative learning, workshops, webinars, rapid evidence synthesis and test Partners ‘ approaches to promote the use of evidence in policymaking and provide capacity-building support 

Summary of key activities /Work packages 

  • Work Package 1: Develop and Strengthen 4 Evidence Centres in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Malawi to form an interconnected evidence hub 
  • Work Package 2 – Capacity building 
  • Work Package 3: Build an evidence base to support local and contextualised decision-making in the four countries 
  • Work Package 4: Strengthen the synthesis and packaging 
  • Work package 5: Policy Engagements (citizen panels, citizen juries, policy dialogues and other engagements) 

Expected Outcomes / Deliverables 

  • A hub formed by 4 networked and contributing Centres of Evidence in four countries in the East Africa region, supporting local and regional decision-making concerned with priority SDG policy questions 
  • A living and growing evidence base for priority SDG questions for the East African region 
  • An increased pool of evidence practitioners in the East African region at different levels – individuals, institutions, sectoral, and countries, with a pool of next-generation leaders in the field to ensure sustainability 
  • Increased opportunities for learning and sharing lessons and resources within and across different levels within the East African region 

 

The role of Policy 

The project focuses on strengthening the use of evidence-based policymaking by supporting institutions in their use of evidence in decision-making. Key policy-related activities include capacity-building in Evidence to Policy for policymakers and researchers, producing Rapid Response Briefs and facilitating dialogue between evidence producers and users. Through these efforts, LEEPS helps create systems where research is regularly translated into practical policies and programmes. 

Partners & Stakeholders 

Key institutions 

The LEEPS project is being implemented by the East African Regional Evidence Synthesis Initiative (EARESI) https://africaleeps.org/initiative/centre-for-rapid-evidence-synthesis/, led by the Centre for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), and works to strengthen evidence use in the reproductive health and clean energy sectors. They support stakeholders in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. And below are the institutions under it; 

  • Centre for Reforms, Innovation, Health Policies and Implementation Research (CeRIHI)-Tanzania 

 Funders 

  • International Development Research Centre (IDRC) – A Canadian government agency that supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. 
  • The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation – A U.S.-based foundation that funds initiatives aimed at solving social and environmental problems. 
  • Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH – A German foundation that supports projects in areas such as health, education, and international relations. 

Timeline  

October 2023– December 2025 

Contact Information 

At MLW, the project is being implemented by the Policy Unit https://www.mlw.mw/policy-unit/ 

  • Study PIs: Dr Rhona Mijumbi and Dr Marlen Chawani 
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