Watch a 2 minute video clip on what CSOs could do to increase their policy impact & what policymakers could do to increase use of research-based evidence: MP4 (6.42mb) or WMV (1.1mb)

I am working with the Economic and Social Research Foundation in Tanzania.

What is your experience of using research-based evidence to influence development policy?

The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) was established eleven years ago. We have been focused on evidence-based policy processes and have carried out a number of research activities. We have four departments in our institution: a research department, a capacity-building department, a commissioned studies department, and an administration department. All the departments' activities are related to the policy process in one way or another. For instance, in the commissioned studies unit, we have been commissioned by the government of Tanzania to undertake various policy activities and we are currently undertaking an East Africa Community (EAC) development strategy commissioned by the EAC. We have also worked on a number of other policies such as irrigation policy and tourism policy.

What do you think are the most important tricks of the trade?

The first trick is the capacity of the researchers to define the problem. If the problem is defined well and clearly then it is possible to get concrete and relevant data to inform the policy processes, so that evidence can be disseminated to and used by policy-makers.

Do you have any 'good news case studies'?

Three years ago, we were commissioned by the government to do participatory poverty assessments. We employed a number of people on two-year contracts to work within the Economic and Social Research Foundation. This was a good case study.

A second example was our involvement in the East Africa Community development strategy for 2000-2005. We are now formulating another strategy for 2005-2010. In addition to the government, which is using us for various policy-related activities, we are also being used by various other organisations such as the East Africa Community.

Do you have any 'horror stories'?

I joined the institution around a year ago and I do not know of any horror stories.

What three things could CSOs do to increase their policy impact?

The most important thing for CSOs is to build their own capacity. Most CSOs in Tanzania are based in urban areas. The voices of those who are based in rural areas cannot be heard until the CSOs in urban areas represent them. Capacity is still weak, so one of the most important things we have to do is build the capacity of the staff in CSOs, especially in rural areas, if they are to be represented effectively.

The second point is that those CSOs in urban areas, such as the Economic and Social Research Foundation, do not have voting rights in their programmes so that they only represent themselves. Their capacity is good, but it could be better and they also face the problem of limited funds with which to build the capacity of their own researchers to conduct good quality research for policy application.

What three things could policy-makers do to increase their use of research-based evidence?

A number of research activities have been carried out by CSOs, but the problem is the acceptability of the research to policy-makers. Acceptability may be affected by a number of factors, including ignorance on the part of policy-makers or an unwillingness to link policy research and activities. We also need to build the capacity of the people in government, especially in the policy and planning departments of the ministries.

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