Research
Irish Aid is committed to supporting research that builds evidence and knowledge that can make a real difference to the lives of poor people and the communities in which they live. Our support to research is delivered through partnerships at international level and in our partner countries as well as with leading researchers and institutions in Ireland.
Research matters for poverty reduction
In the current global context of increasing challenges and scarce resources, the role of research to provide evidence of what works and what doesn’t becomes ever more critical.
We support research in a wide range of areas to build evidence and learning on how best to address both the causes and consequences of poverty. But having good evidence is not enough on its own.
We also work with our partners to ensure that the findings and recommendations from research are well communicated and shared and that knowledge is used to improve development policy and practice. We do this in ways that will impact directly on those most in need.
Our research priorities
Irish Aid supports an integrated research agenda with the potential to contribute significantly to global development and poverty reduction.
Irish Aid is committed to supporting research that builds evidence and knowledge that can make a real difference to the lives of poor people and the communities in which they live.
Across all of our research, we promote an approach that pays particular attention to the needs and experience of women. Existing research shows us that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are central to development and the achievement of human rights for all.
Evidence has already demonstrated that when women are healthy and educated and can participate more fully, the benefits extend to their children, communities and countries; poverty and malnutrition decline, living standards improve and economic growth increases.
Our approach to research
Our approach to research is outlined in our Research Strategy and based on the following three objectives:
- To contribute to building new evidence on five Irish Aid priorities for poverty reduction
- To strengthen communication and policy uptake of Irish Aid funded research
- To build the capacity of research institutions and networks in Irish Aid partner countries.
Our research partnerships
We provide funds through a range of partnership approaches including:
- Partnerships with Irish research and higher education institutions
- Partnerships with international policy research institutions and think tanks
- Partnerships with research institutions and networks in partner countries
- Global research partnerships
We work with partners to ensure our research efforts and funding effectively informs best practise and new ways of working. We engage with all of our research partners to ensure that the work that they do is in response to demand from countries and that the impact and results from their efforts is making a difference to those furthest behind first.