Impact of our work

SDGi is involved in strengthening the capacity of the PRS to use and implement mechanisms of evidence-based policy and coordination, which will lead to the greater use of services provided by PRS by other government institutions. Part of this has involved increasing the capacity of the unit through human resources, exploring various methods for utilising data and artificial intelligence in different phases of the policy-making process through cooperation with Data2Policy, and engaging in learning exchanges.

Key to the work of SDGi is bridging the gap between academia and policymakers. SDGi provides evidence generated by academia and research institutes to policymakers to facilitate sound decision-making within the framework of South Africa’s National Development Plan and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While providing this evidence to policymakers, SDGi also pays close attention to its selection process of academics. We make a concerted effort to promote gender equality and address multidimensional discrimination. We also try to strengthen our reach with the historically disadvantaged universities, to ensure that inputs from these universities are also considered and brought to the attention of policymakers. In doing so, we have supported various requests for evidence from the Policy and Research Services (PRS) Unit. We assist with drafting frameworks, conducting independent assessments of Bills, improving Socio-Economic Impact Assessments, and compiling reviews among other requests. So far, our evidence has contributed to topics like governance, energy, gender-based violence and femicide, economic growth, and climate change, just to name a few.

An exciting workstream with many new developments has been the developing and prototyping of tools for policymakers. Two of SDGi’s partners have been heavily involved in this process: the University of Pretoria’s South African SDG Hub, hosted by the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute and Stellenbosch University’s Policy Innovation Lab, hosted by the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking. The SDG Hub is a metaplatform that aggregates the best and most relevant research on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from South African and selected non-South African universities. Complementing this effort, the Policy Innovation Lab focuses on advancing research and the application of data science tools to improve policy-making in South Africa.

African Monitor Trust (AMT), a civil society organisation and partner of SDGi, has been part of developing the SDG architecture in South Africa and the inclusive dialogue between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders on the implementation of the SDGs. Just recently, AMT contributed to South Africa’s 2024 Voluntary National and Local Review process, forming part of the Writing Team and ensuring that the voices of civil society were reflected in the report.