INT/Nordic Africa Institute

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is a research, information and communication centre located in Uppsala. The core activities of the Institute include producing research on Africa and building the capacity of researchers; communication and policy dialogue, and maintaining and documenting a library specialising in African research. The Institute promotes global partnerships by strengthening cooperation between African and Nordic researchers. The operational objectives specified in the Institute’s new strategy 2022-26 are 1) Production of information: NAI strengthens its ability to produce information together with Nordic and African partners; 2) Policy influence: NAI will strengthen her role as a bridge builder between African perspectives and Nordic policy makers; 3) Cooperation: NAI will strengthen cooperation and learning between their units, including digitalisation. The impact areas of the research programme, including SDG links, as defined in the strategy are 1. Gender equality, social justice and inclusion; SDGs 1,2, 5 and 10; 2. Governance, citizenship and participation; SDGs 16 and 17; 3. Economy, employment and mobility; SDGs 4, 8, 10 and 11; 4. Climate, natural resources and sustainability; SDGs 2, 5, 10, 13, 15; 5. Peace, security and human rights; SDGs 5 and 16. The Institute’s total annual funding is approximately EUR 4.5 million. The Institute cooperates extensively with several African research institutes and networks, offers support to visiting scholars, engages in extensive relationship activities and publication activities. The Institute has a Finnish researcher, and Finnish students have also received scholarships from the Institute. The Institute’s activities indirectly support the main objective of Finland’s development policy to reduce poverty and inequality. The Institute’s support is 100% ODA eligible. Several evaluations and reports have been conducted on the Institute’s activities, and its performance is assessed as a Swedish state institution. The most recent assessment is the mid-term evaluation 2019-20 of the previous strategy period, the recommendations of which feeded into the new strategy 2022-26. The Institute’s activities are cost-effective, and its research, publishing and stakeholder activities serve a number of audiences in the Nordic countries and Africa. Finland’s support in 2022-24 amounts to 1.5 m €.