Perspectives on funding transdisciplinary research for sustainable development in Africa

Transdisciplinary research and social stakeholders: challenges and progress in a global context

How to advance participatory and transdisciplinary research on sustainable development in Africa? Defining research objectives with non-academic, societal actors (such as communities, producer associations or village communities) is crucial for the transdisciplinary research process (TDR). This is a central building block for addressing increasingly complex societal problems, especially in the area of sustainable development.

Involving societal actors in the research process requires a rethink on the part of both researchers and funders. In a global North-South research context, there are additional barriers to creating the necessary collaborative environment for TDR. Although progress appears slow, committed funders have adapted their funding practices to the needs of international transdisciplinary research over the past two decades. The aim of the workshop was to facilitate an intensive exchange of experiences between researchers, research funder and transdisciplinary research networks in order to identify and validate good practices in the field of public funding of TDF projects.

Building on successful collaboration - good foundation for future workshops

The aim of the workshop was to facilitate an intensive exchange of experiences between researchers, research funder and transdisciplinary research networks, as well as to gather good practices and new ideas in the field of public funding of TDF projects for sustainable development in Africa. The participants were highly motivated and committed to continue the dialog, which creates a solid basis for the upcoming workshop with African stakeholders on October 15, 2024 at the University of Ghana in Accra.