In our strategic framework for 2024-2028, INTRAC has set out a goal to “(re)-establish our role as a knowledge hub, developing a practitioner-focused research programme that creates spaces and opportunities for diverse voices to share knowledge and experience.”
Research has always been a part of INTRAC’s involvement in and support for civil society. Completing our consultancy and training support, our research work seeks to consolidate learning within the sector, broker knowledge and facilitate reflection around key issues civil society practitioners are facing.
Today, we are working towards a new research agenda. This will guide the issues that we focus on, as well as the ways in which we engage and support civil society practitioners.
This work serves our overall vision, which is that “civil society actors, organisations and movements across the world can develop, engage with others and do what they want to do, better: supported to deliver just, equitable and sustainable societies for all.” In particular, it helps us fulfil our ambition to grow and strengthen ecosystems of support for civil society.
INTRAC’s history of research
Research and publications for civil society have been a part of INTRAC since our very beginnings in 1991. Our first ever piece of work was a study commissioned by the Dutch NGO Novib (which later became Oxfam Novib). It led to the publication of the first INTRAC book, Institutional Development and NGOs in Africa.
Our research programme was catalysed by a grant from the Aga Khan Foundation in 1993. Later, six European INGOs contributed funds each year to continue this work and generate research on and for civil society. This arrangement lasted until 2015. INTRAC also held the editorship for the journal Development in Practice from 2010 to 2020.
Our research approach
Our research approach focusses on brokering knowledge between civil society practitioners. In practice this means we will prioritise steering research agendas, consolidating learning that is useful for the sector, and facilitating uptake of knowledge in a way that supports civil society practitioners. We are keen to work with researchers and knowledge producers to support engagement with practitioners.
Our focus is on applied knowledge: things that help civil society navigate challenges they face, and products that are accessible to small and medium sized civil society organisations, as well as larger and more professional NGOs. This builds on previous work, such as:
- Supporting civil society sustainability
- Navigating the universe of monitoring and evaluation approaches
As we begin a new chapter in INTRAC’s research, we are mindful of the inequalities and underpinning the knowledge economy in international development. Decolonising aid requires us to critically reflect on the values underpinning knowledge production and use.