Local solutions to local challenges
Established in 1975, IDRC's Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa coordinates our efforts in 23 countries in the region. Over the years, we’ve funded more than 3,500 research activities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our work concentrates on identifying new technical, institutional, and policy solutions to the region’s challenges. And it creates platforms where multiple players can collaborate on confronting these problems.
Through our programming efforts, IDRC addresses the diverse needs of the countries we serve. In doing so, we strive to:
- understand the causes and consequences of violent conflict and strengthen transitions from conflict to lasting peace
- reduce vulnerability to disease and natural disasters and improve the management of natural resources and the environment
- increase opportunities for sustainable economic growth and equitable access to basic social services
Our funding focuses on applied research that will influence policy and practice. Our aim? To develop research capacity among individual Africans, along with the institutional capacity required to support them.
IDRC initiatives in the region
We also operate outside of IDRC’s regular programming. Through the Regional Activity Fund, we provide short-term, small scale assistance to initiatives aimed at exploring new research areas of importance to the region. This funding places a priority on partnerships with other donors and African partners, innovation, and creativity are stressed.
Countries we serve
Angola
Burundi
Comores
Djibouti
Eritrea
Lesotho
Madagascar
Mauritius
Namibia
Seychelles
Somalia
Swaziland
Zimbabwe