The conference contributes to a large consultation of the regional and international stakeholders on the CS4RRA joint call, to ensure relevance, excellence, and ownership by the African region. It equally contributes to the progressive implementation of the recommendations from the Webinars by WASCAL and IRD. Finally, the conference supports exploring synergies, provide the opportunity for networking, and mobilise funders in Africa and EU, and thus, enlarging the research opportunities for CS4RRA members.
The specific objectives are:
- review the webinars' outcomes and complete current priorities in research, innovation and capacity building;
- bring together funding agencies, key performing organisations from EU member states, and likeminded African partners interested in developing long-lasting activities on research, innovation and capacity building
- enhance coordination of the existing bilateral activities between European and African countries and existing multilateral initiatives; build-up a consortium of interested parties from Africa and Europe on climate risk reduction challenges (e.g. to prepare of a joint application for EU-calls).
- examine and propose sustainable funding mechanisms for climate and environment services provision,
The Stocktaking conference scales up to the joint call for project proposals to address the critical issues identified during the webinars. The significance of hosting an inclusive international stocktaking conference in West Africa is to consolidate insights gathered from webinars and foster collaboration among research funders, practitioners, and stakeholders. The conference equally helps attract key institutions and countries beyond the initial CS4RRA circle. There is a significant gap in funding for R&I in Africa, as well as for capacity building in West Africa. By joining forces, the gap shall be closed, strong win-win partnerships built, and relevant research activities undertaken for sustainable development of the region.
