Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
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Item Survey Report Identifying Capacity Gaps and Relevant Data Sources for Target Groups/Institutions(FARA, 2026-05) FARAThis report presents the outcomes of a comprehensive survey conducted under the StEPPFoS project to identify institutional capacity gaps and relevant data sources for target groups and institutions engaged in evidence-based policymaking for sustainable food systems in Africa. Developed as Deliverable D1.1 under Work Package 1 (WP1), the report synthesizes evidence intended to support consortium activities and strengthen institutional capacities across PANAP member countries. The study reveals that while many institutions demonstrate strong commitment to staff development and policy engagement, significant gaps remain in formal capacity assessment systems, analytical skills, economic modelling expertise, and data accessibility. The report further reviews major national and international datasets, modelling tools, and analytical methodologies relevant to food and nutrition policy impact analysis in African contexts. Recommendations include strengthening formal capacity assessment mechanisms, expanding training in economic modelling and analytical tools, and integrating continuous capacity building into institutional programmes and projects.Item Scoping Report on Exchange Institutions for Knowledge Sharing(FARA, 2026-05) FARA, CSIR-STEPRIThis scoping report examines the capacities, institutional structures, collaboration mechanisms, and knowledge-sharing practices of exchange institutions involved in the StEPPFoS consortium under the EU-AU Partnership on Sustainable Food Systems. The report contributes to Work Package 1 (WP1) of the StEPPFoS project, which seeks to generate evidence to support consortium activities and strengthen research-policy linkages within Africa’s food and nutrition ecosystems. Using an online rapid survey administered to all 16 consortium partner institutions across 11 countries, the study achieved a 100% response rate and mapped institutional roles, capacities, governance arrangements, knowledge-sharing platforms, and stakeholder engagement approaches. The findings reveal that participating institutions primarily focus on research, policy engagement, multi-stakeholder dialogue facilitation, capacity building, and digital platform development. Knowledge exchange activities are largely implemented through workshops, conferences, publications, digital hubs, and collaborative learning platforms. The report identifies several emerging trends shaping knowledge exchange, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, virtual collaboration, participatory design, crowdsourcing, and open-access knowledge systems. However, persistent barriers such as weak digital infrastructure, limited monitoring and evaluation systems, intellectual property concerns, data security limitations, stakeholder resistance to evidence uptake, and language and cultural barriers continue to constrain effective knowledge dissemination and policy influence. The study recommends strengthening institutional collaboration, enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting inclusive and equitable knowledge-sharing systems, expanding participatory and co-creation approaches, investing in evidence synthesis capacities, and developing robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. It concludes that strengthening Africa’s knowledge exchange ecosystem requires sustained investment in partnerships, digital innovation, inclusive engagement, and adaptive knowledge systems capable of supporting evidence-informed policymaking and sustainable food systems transformation.Item Database of PANAP & FNSSA Roadmap Activities, Data and Modelling Tools(FARA, 2026-05) FARAThis report presents Deliverable D1.4 of the StEPPFoS project, focusing on the development of a comprehensive database of projects, programmes, policies, roadmap activities, data systems, and modelling tools related to agrifood systems across Africa. The database integrates information from PANAP and non-PANAP institutions and provides a structured framework for mapping thematic priorities, implementation mechanisms, policy linkages, and institutional collaboration patterns. The report combines survey findings, desk reviews, validation exercises, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to generate insights into governance structures, financing mechanisms, institutional coordination, evidence-to-policy pathways, and implementation capacity within African agrifood systems. It highlights the importance of interoperable data systems, sustained institutional learning, regional collaboration, and evidence-aligned policymaking to support sustainable food systems transformation in Africa.Item Stakeholders Engagement Plan - Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems under the EU–AU Partnership(FARA, 2026) FARAThe Stakeholders Engagement Plan presents the stakeholder engagement framework developed under the StEPPFoS project to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, donor organizations, and food systems actors involved in sustainable food systems transformation in Africa and Europe. The report outlines participatory engagement mechanisms, communication strategies, collaborative platforms, policy dialogues, and knowledge-sharing activities designed to enhance evidence-based policymaking and strengthen the science-policy interface. It details stakeholder engagement approaches across multiple work packages, including participatory workshops, webinars, knowledge exchange forums, donor roundtables, virtual collaboration platforms, monitoring and learning frameworks, and policy dialogue mechanisms. The plan aims to foster continuous interaction, co-creation, capacity strengthening, and knowledge dissemination among PANAP members, FNSSA partners, and broader agricultural research-for-development stakeholders.Item Mapping Existing Policies/Projects/Programmes of the PANAP Network: Assessing Institutional Collaboration, Funding Focus, Economic Data and Modelling Tools(FARA, 2026-05) FARAThis report presents a comprehensive mapping of policies, projects, and programmes implemented by institutions within and outside the PANAP network under the StEPPFoS initiative. Using cross-sectional online surveys, desk reviews, and social network analysis, the study assesses institutional collaboration patterns, thematic focus areas, funding mechanisms, economic data usage, and modelling practices across African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) institutions. The findings show that most projects focus on food systems, agroecology, climate resilience, food security, and poverty reduction, reflecting priorities within EU–AU development cooperation frameworks. The report identifies strong engagement from African institutions, particularly in West and East Africa, but highlights disparities in institutional capacity, policy integration, and long-term project sustainability. It further demonstrates the importance of regional and international collaboration, institutional alignment with mandates, and evidence-based policymaking for sustainable food systems transformation in Africa.Item Report on Functionality of PANAP CollabNet Platform(FARA, 2026-05) FARA, LifeWatch ERIC, PANAP, EUThis report presents a comprehensive overview of the PANAP Network4Collaboration Platform developed under the StEPPFoS project to strengthen collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange among members of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP). The platform serves as a virtual collaborative environment connecting researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders from Africa and Europe working on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture. The publication documents the participatory and co-creation approach used in the platform’s development, beginning with stakeholder workshops and requirements assessments conducted with key PANAP members. User feedback informed the design of core functionalities including multilingual navigation, networking tools, collaborative workspaces, a marketplace for opportunities and events, resources repositories, and training modules. The report further outlines the technical implementation, stakeholder validation processes, onboarding and training activities, and mitigation strategies addressing barriers such as poor internet connectivity, language diversity, low engagement, and data security concerns. The PANAP CollabNet Platform is positioned as a strategic digital infrastructure supporting evidence-based policymaking, collaborative research, capacity building, and transcontinental partnerships within sustainable food systems governance.Item Validated Terms of Reference for the Pan-African Network for the Analysis of Economic Policies (PANAP)(FARA, 2026-05) FARA, JRC, PANAP, AUC, EUThis publication presents the validated Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Pan-African Network for the Analysis of Economic Policies (PANAP), developed under Work Package 7 of the StEPPFoS project. The TOR establishes the governance framework, operational principles, membership structures, and coordination mechanisms guiding the PANAP network in advancing evidence-based economic policy analysis for sustainable agri-food systems across Africa. The document defines PANAP’s mission, objectives, priority thematic areas, membership categories, governance arrangements, collaboration principles, and operational procedures. It provides institutional guidance for strengthening cooperation between African and European research institutions, policymakers, regional organisations, and development partners engaged in economic analysis of agricultural and food system policies. Developed through a consultative validation process led by FARA and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), the TOR reflects contributions from PANAP members, AU and EU institutions, and regional organizations. It aligns PANAP’s activities with major continental and international policy frameworks, including Agenda 2063, the Malabo Declaration, the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, the FNSSA Partnership Roadmap, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The TOR establishes PANAP as a collaborative platform for policy modelling, knowledge sharing, capacity strengthening, and research-policy engagement, thereby enhancing Africa’s institutional capacity for data-driven and evidence-informed policymaking.