Technical support to the coordination of the Scientific and technological support to the Regional Centres of Excellence related to Green Transition
Project Duration: 2024 – 2027
Grantor: European Commission
Budget: € 2,837,200 Million
Principal Investigator: Gianluca Vedova
Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. Nicholas Ozor
Project Description:
The project “Scientific and Technological Support to the Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) related to Green Transition” is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacity in support of sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative focuses on enhancing the functionality and impact of designated Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs), specialized institutions or hubs that drive expertise, knowledge sharing, and practical training in specific thematic areas linked to green transition sectors such as biodiversity, water, oceans, agroecology, climate resilience, and energy.
At its core, the project seeks to overcome persistent challenges that have limited the effectiveness of STI systems in Africa. These include fragmented coordination among research institutions, weak science-policy interfaces, underutilization of knowledge platforms, insufficient IT infrastructure, and limited capacity for cross-sectoral collaboration. By addressing these systemic issues, the project aims to build a more integrated, responsive, and sustainable STI ecosystem that can effectively contribute to inclusive green growth and resilience building. A central focus of the project is the establishment of robust coordination mechanisms to ensure that RCoEs across different regions and sectors work cohesively toward common goals. This involves fostering stronger linkages between scientific research and policy-making processes, enabling evidence-based decision-making that responds to local and regional development needs. Through targeted capacity-building efforts, the project supports RCoEs in improving their institutional capabilities, enhancing data collection and analysis, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. .
Another key aspect of the project is the design and implementation of an advanced Knowledge Management Mechanism (KMM), hosted under the Africa Knowledge Platform (AKP). This system will facilitate seamless knowledge exchange, documentation of best practices, and dissemination of relevant STI outputs across networks of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The KMM will be equipped with user-friendly tools to standardize the collection and presentation of scientific findings, making them accessible and actionable for diverse stakeholders. Subsequently, the project emphasizes inter-sectoral networking and partnership facilitation. It encourages the formation of collaborative platforms where RCoEs, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector actors can share insights, align priorities, and jointly develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. Flagship events, South-South exchanges, and thematic workshops are organized to promote peer learning and strengthen regional cooperation. .
By embedding STI into national and regional development frameworks, the project contributes to long-term sustainability and scalability of green transition initiatives. It ensures that scientific outputs are generated and translated into tangible policies, practices, and innovations that drive climate resilience, resource efficiency, and sustainable livelihoods across the continent. Through this comprehensive approach, the initiative lays the groundwork for a dynamic and self-sustaining African STI landscape capable of addressing current and future developmental imperatives.
At its core, the project seeks to overcome persistent challenges that have limited the effectiveness of STI systems in Africa. These include fragmented coordination among research institutions, weak science-policy interfaces, underutilization of knowledge platforms, insufficient IT infrastructure, and limited capacity for cross-sectoral collaboration. By addressing these systemic issues, the project aims to build a more integrated, responsive, and sustainable STI ecosystem that can effectively contribute to inclusive green growth and resilience building. A central focus of the project is the establishment of robust coordination mechanisms to ensure that RCoEs across different regions and sectors work cohesively toward common goals. This involves fostering stronger linkages between scientific research and policy-making processes, enabling evidence-based decision-making that responds to local and regional development needs. Through targeted capacity-building efforts, the project supports RCoEs in improving their institutional capabilities, enhancing data collection and analysis, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. .
Another key aspect of the project is the design and implementation of an advanced Knowledge Management Mechanism (KMM), hosted under the Africa Knowledge Platform (AKP). This system will facilitate seamless knowledge exchange, documentation of best practices, and dissemination of relevant STI outputs across networks of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The KMM will be equipped with user-friendly tools to standardize the collection and presentation of scientific findings, making them accessible and actionable for diverse stakeholders. Subsequently, the project emphasizes inter-sectoral networking and partnership facilitation. It encourages the formation of collaborative platforms where RCoEs, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector actors can share insights, align priorities, and jointly develop innovative solutions to pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. Flagship events, South-South exchanges, and thematic workshops are organized to promote peer learning and strengthen regional cooperation. .
By embedding STI into national and regional development frameworks, the project contributes to long-term sustainability and scalability of green transition initiatives. It ensures that scientific outputs are generated and translated into tangible policies, practices, and innovations that drive climate resilience, resource efficiency, and sustainable livelihoods across the continent. Through this comprehensive approach, the initiative lays the groundwork for a dynamic and self-sustaining African STI landscape capable of addressing current and future developmental imperatives.
Goals and Specific Objectives
Goal
The project’s primary goal is to improve cross-sectoral and cross-regional coordination and strategic steering of Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) to address science, technology, and innovation (STI) challenges related to the green transition in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Specific Objectives
- To improve cross-sectoral and cross-regional coordination and strategic steering of RCoEs: This objective focuses on strengthening the governance and coordination mechanisms that enable RCoEs to work cohesively across sectors and regions. It involves setting up structured platforms such as the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and Thematic Coordination Committees (TCCs), establishing effective communication systems, and ensuring alignment with continental and regional development frameworks such as the African Union’s STISA-2024 and the European Green Deal. The ultimate aim is to enhance collaborative planning, decision-making, and implementation of STI initiatives that support the green transition.
- To increase STI capacities of RCoEs in thematic areas related to the green transition: This objective aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capabilities of RCoEs in key thematic areas such as biodiversity, water, oceans, agroecology, climate resilience, and energy through a comprehensive approach that includes improving data and information collection, access, sharing, and processing; enhancing knowledge generation and management; and providing targeted support to practitioners, scientists, and policymakers. By building robust data systems, promoting open access to scientific information, and supporting research outputs and documentation of best practices, the project will equip RCoEs with the tools needed to inform evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, tailored training and capacity-building initiatives will be implemented to improve understanding and application of STI among stakeholders, strengthening the science-policy-practice interface and enabling more effective responses to green transition challenges.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the project implementation period, the following outcomes are anticipated:
- Effective Programme Coordination Framework: A fully functional coordination mechanism will be established, supported by regular meetings of the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and Thematic Coordination Committees (TCCs), alongside a standardized monitoring and evaluation system aligned with the Logical Framework of the Action Document.
- Strengthened Science-Policy Interface: Increased production and uptake of policy briefs, enhanced participation in science-policy dialogues, and improved capacity of RCoEs to engage policymakers with evidence-based recommendations, leading to more informed decision-making in green transition sectors.
- Operationalized Knowledge Management System: A dedicated Knowledge Management Mechanism (KMM) will be developed and integrated within the AKP, enabling efficient documentation, dissemination, and utilization of STI-related knowledge and best practices across RCoEs and stakeholder networks.
- Expanded Networking and Partnerships: New cross-sectoral partnerships will be forged, supported by collaborative platforms and events, including flagship conferences and South-South exchange programs, contributing to a vibrant and interconnected STI ecosystem in Africa.
- Sustainable Institutional Capacity Building: RCoEs will demonstrate increased institutional and technical capacity, supported by tailored gap assessments, training programs, and digital tools, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance in advancing green transition agendas at national, regional, and continental levels.
Project Outputs
(To be updated)