Friday 2 May 2008

A new knowledge network in sub-Saharan Africa for IFAD-funded programmes and projects

Rome – 29 April - IFAD’s Executive Board has approved a grant that will help establish FIDAfrique-IFADAfrica, a new knowledge network in sub-Saharan Africa for IFAD-funded programmes and projects and for its development partners.

The new network will build on existing initiatives, including FIDAfrique in Western and Central Africa and the four IFAD-supported thematic knowledge networks in Eastern and Southern Africa. These initiatives have until now been implemented separately.

The network will connect people, organizations, development projects and programmes, and other networks working to reduce rural poverty across sub-Saharan Africa so they can share experiences, mutual learning and innovation for rural poverty reduction. It will also increase the development effectiveness of IFAD-financed programmes and projects and enhance policy dialogue.

IFAD will contribute US$2 million towards the US$3,930,000 three-year programme. The West Africa Rural Foundation (WARF), an experienced foundation currently managing the Central and Western Africa knowledge network, FIDAfrique, will manage the grant.

Reference: IFAD