As the voting for this year’s ONE Award commences, we’re looking at the top four finalists who have made it to the final rounds! The ONE Africa Award celebrates African efforts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world’s blueprint for a better future. SDG targets range from halving extreme poverty, to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education.
Working in both Kenya and Malawi, the African Institute For Development Policy (AFIDEP) is an African-led, regional nonprofit research policy institute. It seeks to address gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa.
AFIDEP works to accelerate the SDGs by engaging in advocacy and working with decision-makers at the local, national, and regional levels. Their flagship project has helped 15 African governments determine appropriate cross-sectoral investments aimed at the youth. Why? Because 74% of Africa’s population is under 35.
Gender equality is a central issue to AFIDEP’s work. For example, the organisation worked on a project requested by the office of the Malawian President and Ministry of Gender on teenage pregnancy among school girls.
AFIDEP’s focus is centred around the belief that in order for Africa to achieve sustained, equitable development, the decision-making practices — especially in the public sector — should be underpinned by evidence.
They focus on empowering individual African policymakers, developing the capacity of African and global researchers, and building a vibrant community and network.
Read more about the three other finalists in the running for this year’s ONE Africa Award and cast your vote here!
