The most effective policies—those that foster healthy, vibrant societies and provide opportunities for people to build better lives—are based on quality research. Those policies are especially effective when grounded in an understanding of local realities.
In many countries, think tanks supply the kind of information that policymakers need. However, in most developing countries, think tanks often don’t have the reliable funding and support they need to develop and sustain strong and innovative research programs.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada’s International Development Research Centre, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation are providing $90 million to support independent policy think tanks in developing countries. This broad range of support, provided through the Think Tank Initiative, will enable these institutions to provide sound research that reflects country-specific needs and create a dynamic, rich debate to inform and influence national policies.
An initial $30 million in grants from the Think Tank Initiative were awarded in early May 2009 to 24 independent research organizations in 11 East and West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. With Think Tank Initiative support, these organizations will supply policymakers with high-quality research to help them tackle the biggest, most fundamental national issues.
To learn more about the Think Tank Initiative, visit the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) web site.
