Science-Policy-Practice Dialogue

Project completed

Research is critical for tackling urgent global problems and enhancing worldwide a more sustainable and equitable development. In Switzerland various actors from the public and private sector are engaged in development relevant research. The Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) promotes research collaboration with Africa, Asia, and Latin America. SDC supports KFPE’s effort to promote the dialogue with relevant stakeholders on research for global sustainable development.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Other
nothemedefined
Sector not specified
31.03.2013 - 31.12.2016
CHF  950’000
Background

The traditional division between North and South is progressively being replaced by a more comprehensive approach to address global challenges through concerted actions. This trend goes along with the emergence of new actors and initiatives both, nationally and internationally. In the Dispatch of Swiss International Cooperation 2013-16 greater emphasis is placed on research and innovation oriented towards solving global problems in poor countries. Effective collaboration with Swiss research institutions and their research partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America is therefore an asset.

Objectives

The dialogue between the globally connected Swiss research network, policy and practice is strengthened through targeted interactions, supporting the creation of innovation and better use of research results for global sustainable development. Thereby, KFPE consolidates its institutional relevance and reputation as the Swiss information, exchange, and learning platform for research collaboration with developing and emerging countries.

Target groups
  • Relevant national stakeholders in the public and private sector engaged or interested in research cooperation between Switzerland and Africa, Asia, and Latin America and global sustainable development.
  • Research community in Switzerland and their research partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

 

Medium-term outcomes
  • The exchange with stakeholders engaged in global sustainable development is increased.
  • Knowledge from learning events related to inter- and transdisciplinary research, and research communication, is used and implemented.
  • The merging of relevant databases of research institutions has a positive effect on the creation of research partnerships and the accessibility of thematic research expertise related to global themes.
  • Web-based guidelines and tools support the production of development relevant research results.
Results

Results from previous phases:  

KFPE is internationally known for its 11 Principles for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries developed in 1998. These 11 KFPE principles promote fair research collaboration with Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Between 2001 and 2012 KFPE implemented two partnership-oriented programs Jeunes Chercheurs and Echanges universitaires financed by SDC. KFPE was successful as an incubator for new research programs, in particular the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South co-funded by SDC and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) over the past 12 years. With SDC’s and SNSF’s support KFPE revised the 11 KFPE Principles in 2012 as a response to the changing international context.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Swiss Academic and Research Institution
  • Other Swiss academic and research institutions
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • The Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT)


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    950’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    941’770
Project phases Phase 5 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase) Phase 4 01.07.2017 - 31.03.2021   (Completed)

Phase 3 31.03.2013 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)