July 12, 2010
Building on a string of successful relationships and projects, CSTEP has received significant recognition from the IDRC Think Tank Initiative in the form of core funding for CSTEP's long-term objectives.
The Think Tank Initiative is a program designed to strengthen independent policy research organizations, so that they may become more influential and sustainable. As part of the application process, CSTEP was asked to share its strategy for a robust research agenda, to improve key aspects of its organizational performance, and increase its ability to inform and influence policy and public debate.
It was a competitive process, and CSTEP was among the sixteen selected in South Asia. Members and colleagues at CSTEP are proud of the recognition of the fact that the IDRC initiative sees CSTEP as an institution of merit for long term partnership.
Over the next four years, CSTEP researchers and staff will create impact with high-quality research, build on early successes with organizational performance, and create policy linkages, communications, and outreach opportunities within and across our research focus areas.
CSTEP is keen to continue the development of innovative research resources and will benefit from the expertise and local knowledge it will be able to recruit and sustain as a result of this recognition. CSTEP also gains the opportunity to share and learn from other organizations in the Think Tank Initiative knowledge network.
In response to learning about the award, CSTEP Director Anshu Bhardwaj enthusiastically thanked everyone at CSTEP, remarking on the quality of the sustained team effort that ultimately led to the recognition and award from the IDRC and partners.
About IDRC and partners
Launched by IDRC, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2008, the Think Tank Initiative aims to support local think tanks to produce high-quality research that will improve policies and, ultimately, contribute to more equitable and prosperous societies. The US$35 million investment in Latin America and South Asia follows US$30 million in grants to 24 think tanks in East and West Africa in 2009.
Think tanks in the developing world are in a unique position to effect change in their societies. They can strengthen public policy debates and promote more objective, evidence-based decision-making. However, most never receive predictable core funding, instead depending on short-term project grants and consultancy contracts. This Initiative provides think tanks with stable funding so that they can attract, retain and build local talent, develop an independent research program, and invest in outreach to ensure that research results are used in policy debates.
