Last week, Southern Voice launched the Resilience and Sustainability Self-Assessment Tool as part of its Strengthening Think Tanks Initiative. The project is funded by the British Academy and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). It was developed with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), and 14 cohort think tanks. The cohort includes organisations from Brazil, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa.

As development challenges grow more complex, equity in research for development is increasingly important. Too often, valuable evidence does not meaningfully shape policy decisions. This initiative seeks to help close the evidence-to-action gap. It promotes more inclusive, collaborative, and impact-oriented research systems.

The tool supports think tanks in the Global South to assess their organisational resilience, sustainability, and agility. It is structured around six core pillars. These include People, Leadership and Organisational Culture; Sustainable Finance and Tactical Administration; and Learning and Innovation. The framework also covers Research Quality and Dissemination for Impact, Strategic Partnerships, and Institutional Communication. Together, these components provide a comprehensive approach to strengthening institutional performance.

Through the tool’s implementation, participating organisations can gain clearer insights into their strengths and gaps. They can identify barriers to long-term sustainability. They can also explore practical pathways to enhance their policy influence and institutional impact.

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