Scoping Report on Exchange Institutions for Knowledge Sharing
Date
2026-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
FARA
Abstract
This 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.
Description
This publication presents the findings of a rapid scoping study conducted under the StEPPFoS Project to assess exchange institutions supporting knowledge sharing within Africa’s food and nutrition systems. The report forms Deliverable D1.5 under Work Package 1 (WP1), which focuses on generating evidence to strengthen consortium activities and evidence-informed policymaking.
The study explores the capacities, governance systems, digital infrastructure, institutional mechanisms, collaboration networks, and knowledge exchange strategies used by consortium institutions operating across Africa and Europe. Participating institutions included PANAP and non-PANAP members from Ghana, Germany, Kenya, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and Uganda.
The report documents how institutions facilitate knowledge exchange through:
Research and evidence generation
Multi-stakeholder dialogues
Capacity-building initiatives
Policy advisory services
Digital knowledge platforms
Workshops and seminars
Publications and policy briefs
Conferences and symposia
Communities of practice and networking events
The report also analyses emerging institutional approaches such as:
AI and machine learning for content curation
Interactive digital storytelling
Virtual and augmented reality applications
Crowdsourcing community knowledge
Participatory and co-creation methodologies
Open-access knowledge systems
Digital transformation and virtual collaboration
A major focus of the report is identifying institutional barriers that hinder effective knowledge exchange and evidence uptake. These include:
Intellectual property and data security concerns
Inadequate digital infrastructure
Resistance to knowledge uptake
Weak monitoring and evaluation systems
Limited engagement with civil society and private sector actors
Language and cultural barriers
Digital divide and access limitations
Low technical literacy among end users
The publication further highlights successful outcomes achieved through institutional knowledge-sharing efforts, including strengthened networks, capacity building, adoption of best practices, and policy reforms influenced by shared evidence. It emphasizes the importance of feedback systems, stakeholder consultations, adaptive content strategies, and inclusive participation in building sustainable knowledge ecosystems.
The report concludes with strategic recommendations for strengthening institutional collaboration, digital access, participatory engagement, evidence translation, and knowledge-sharing systems within the StEPPFoS consortium and broader African food systems policy environment.
Keywords
Knowledge exchange, Knowledge sharing, Evidence-informed policymaking, Digital transformation, Food systems, Policy engagement, Capacity building, Artificial intelligence, Virtual collaboration, Monitoring and evaluation, Participatory design, Open-access platforms, Data security, Policy dialogue, Sustainable food systems, Africa-EU partnership
Citation
Quaye, W., Onumah, J., Mahama, A., Omari, R., & Ampadu-Ameyaw, R. (2025). Scoping report on exchange institutions for knowledge sharing (StEPPFoS Deliverable Report D1.5; FDN #58). Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).