Extension of the EU-AFD Research Facility on Inequalities: implementation of research results in public policies in 4 countries

The European Commission and Agence française de développement (AFD) announce the extension of the EU-AFD Research Facility on Inequalities. With a budget of EUR 3 million over 5 years, this second phase supports the implementation of research results in pilot public policies to reduce inequalities in four middle-income countries: South Africa, Mexico, Colombia and Indonesia.

The Research Facility on Inequalities is funded by the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Union

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “I am delighted to support the important work of the EU-AFD Research Facility, because the fight against poverty and inequalities is at the heart of our international cooperation. To achieve true impact, we need a multidimensional, cross-cutting approach – we must address economic, social and environmental inequalities by investing in a fair economy, people and the planet, as well as democracy, working closely with countries and international partners. The tools developed by the Research Facility will have an important role to play in this.”

Towards more effective public policies to reduce inequalities

The diagnostic tools and methodologies developed under the first phase of the EU-AFD Research Facility on Inequalities (2018-2021) will be used to identify one or more priority intervention themes in each country. This approach makes it possible to fully grasp the multidimensional and contextual characteristics of inequalities and to respond with relevant public policies adapted to national circumstances.

A close dialogue based on research

The policies supported under the extension of this Facility will be the result of studies developed in close collaboration with local research institutions and following broad consultation with stakeholders (governments and local civil society organizations). They will be supported by expertise and technical assistance to ensure the sustainability of their impact. In the long term, this program will enable partner countries and development actors to better understand the dynamics of inequalities and to develop relevant policies to address them. The Facility will support the preparation and implementation of these policies, while paying particular attention to the transition to sustainable models by providing policy makers with tools to measure the impact of public policies on inequalities.

A productive first phase in research

Funded by the European Commission's department for International Partnerships (INTPA) and coordinated by AFD, the Research Facility on Inequalities was launched in 2017. It has carried out 22 research projects on inequality, its determinants, and its effects in over 30 countries.

The Facility has also enabled the production of some 50 research papers and methodological tools, including multidimensional inequality analyses and fiscal incidence analyses.

In addition to feeding the academic debate, this work strengthens the public policy dialogue with partner countries and initiates national exchanges on the theme of inequalities in the countries concerned, notably through the holding of conferences and workshops.

Press contact: Gabrielle Vallières