How can capacity development help bridge the gap between evidence and policy?

1 What is capacity development?

Capacity development is the process of enhancing the abilities of individuals, organizations, and systems to perform effectively and achieve their goals. It involves strengthening the knowledge, skills, attitudes, networks, and structures that enable evidence generation, communication, and use. Capacity development can be done at different levels, such as individual, organizational, sectoral, or national, and through various methods, such as training, mentoring, coaching, peer learning, or institutional reform.

2 Why is capacity development important for EBPMI?

Capacity development is essential for EBPMI to address the common challenges and opportunities that affect the evidence-policy interface. It can help increase the demand for and use of evidence by policy makers by enhancing their awareness, skills, and confidence to access, appraise, and apply research in their decision making processes. Additionally, capacity development can improve the supply and quality of evidence by researchers by strengthening their skills, resources, and incentives to produce relevant, credible, and timely research that responds to policy needs and priorities. Furthermore, it can foster collaboration and trust between policy makers and researchers by creating and supporting platforms, networks, and mechanisms that facilitate dialogue, exchange, and feedback on evidence issues and solutions.

3 How to design and implement capacity development interventions for EBPMI?

When designing and implementing capacity development interventions for EBPMI, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, general principles and steps can guide this process. These include assessing the current situation, identifying gaps and opportunities for evidence use, defining objectives and outcomes, selecting and adapting methods and modalities, implementing and monitoring the intervention, and evaluating and learning from the intervention. Tools such as stakeholder analysis, capacity assessment, or evidence mapping can be used to assess the current situation. Frameworks such as logic models or theories of change should be used to define objectives and outcomes. When selecting methods and modalities, consider availability, feasibility, and suitability. To monitor progress, challenges, and achievements of the intervention, indicators such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation should be used. Finally, collected data and feedback should be used to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability of the intervention.

4 What are some examples of capacity development interventions for EBPMI?

Examples of capacity development interventions for EBPMI can be found around the world, reflecting the diversity and innovation of the field. The Building Capacity to Use Research Evidence (BCURE) program was a global initiative that supported six projects in Africa and Asia to improve the skills and systems for evidence use among policy makers and practitioners in various sectors. The African Evidence Network (AEN) is a community of practice that connects and supports researchers, policy makers, and practitioners who are interested in evidence-informed decision making in Africa. Additionally, the Rapid Response Service (RRS) provides timely and tailored evidence summaries to policy makers in low- and middle-income countries, based on their specific requests and needs, through a network of researchers and experts.

5 What are some challenges and opportunities for capacity development for EBPMI?

Capacity development for EBPMI can be complex and dynamic, as it is influenced by political, institutional, cultural, and contextual factors. Challenges and opportunities that can arise include aligning the incentives and motivations of policy makers and researchers to use and produce evidence, adapting to the changing policy environment and evidence landscape, measuring the impact of capacity development interventions, and leveraging existing resources and networks for capacity development. By addressing these issues, we can work towards improving evidence use and policy change.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?