FOPRISA is a collaborative research process in which several Southern African policy research institutes and universities, the Chr. Michelsen Institute of Norway and the SADC Secretariat are participating. It commenced on 01 May 2005 and will run for four years, up to 30 April 2009.

Member Institutions

• Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) (Coordinator / Secretariat)
• Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI), Norway
• Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Tanzania
• Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (NEPRU)
• Centre for Defence and Security Management (CDSM), University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
• Southern African Defence and Security Management (SADSEM) network
• University of Botswana (UB)
• Southern African Development Community Secretariat (SADC)

Formative Research: Objectives and Activities

The overarching objective of the programme is to provide data and analysis inputs that can assist SADC in its efforts to advance regional co-operation and integration in Southern Africa. This will be done through the formative process research, whose primary aim is to provide data and analysis for organisational learning, for example, for the improvement of SADC’s operational approaches, procedures and performance.

FOPRISA Goal

To advance the regional integration process in SADC through appropriate policy research, analysis and advice.

FOPRISA Objectives

• To assist SADC, through research, monitoring, advice and capacity building, in attaining its objectives of regional co-operation, integration and development, as outlined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP); SADC Secretariat RISDP Implementation Framework; Business Plan for the SADC Directorates and Units; and SADC Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (SIPO), protocols and other policy statements
• To contribute to sound policies for the region's development, by assisting SADC in implementing its priority policies and measures of which poverty reduction is an overriding concern
• To build a strong regional policy research network, with research activities aimed at improving the understanding of integration policy and implementation issues by enhancing research skills and analytical capacities in participating research institutes, as well as in the SADC structures

FOPRISA’s Focus

FOPRISA’s research issues are identified in terms of (i) their regional importance, (ii) feasibility (cost and practicality of implementation), (iii) SADC’s perceived interest and/or need and (iv) relevance to the regional integration process. Individual research projects are formulated in consultations involving the researchers and the SADC Secretariat.

For more detail please click here (PDF 35KB)

For FOPRISA's Updated Brochure click here (PDF 73KB)