The Future of Work (FoW) Initiative, West and Central Africa (WCA) Hub, held a virtual inception workshop to introduce its first cohort of grantees, with a strong emphasis on communication and stakeholder engagement. The online event brought together grantees from Ghana, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, alongside members of the hub from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) and the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research – Bureau for Macro-Economic Analysis (ISRA BAME), who are jointly responsible for implementing the grants-awarding research initiative.
“As you engage your stakeholders and partners remember that we all have a common goal – to achieve the deliverables we have committed to IDRC," said Prof. Quartey. He underscored the importance of sustained communication among all partners and meticulous documentation of research activities to effectively “showcase to the donor and the world what this funding and collaboration are achieving on the continent.”
The inception meeting marks the successful conclusion of a rigorous selection process conducted by external reviewers and a scientific committee, among others. This process commenced in August 2024, following the first Request for Proposals (RFP), which attracted numerous applications. Launched in May 2024 under the IDRC-funded FutureWORKS Collective, the Future of Work WCA Hub addresses research gaps on technological adoption and digitalisation in West and Central Africa. It deepens understanding of future work challenges through qualitative and quantitative research while promoting evidence-based policymaking and regional capacity-building, with a focus on social protection and climate resilience.
Representatives from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the donors of the initiative, and Just Jobs, the coordinating body for regional hubs under the FutureWORKS Collective, also participated in the meeting, offering grantees the opportunity to network and strengthen collaboration.
“I would like to thank IDRC for placing its trust in research organisations in the Global South, particularly institutions in West Africa," said Dr. Astou Camara, Director of ISRA BAME, highlighting the significance of this collaboration and its potential impact on the region.
The selected projects reflect both the geographic and thematic diversity of the initiative, spanning Ghana, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. The following projects have been awarded funding under the first FoW WCA funding round:
- Skills Training and Job Readiness for the Future: Evidence from Ghana
Institution: Department of Economics, University of Ghana
- Use of Machine Learning Techniques to Enhance Climate Resilience: Application to Senegalese Agriculture
Institution: Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar
-Adoption of AI in Agriculture: What Impact on Youth and Women's Employment and on the Middle Class in Senegal
Institution: Consortium pour la Recherche Économique et Sociale (CRES)
-Bridging the Gap between Technological Developments and Digital Skills in West Africa: The Specific Case of Burkina Faso
Institution: B Multi Services, a research institution/consultancy firm
The meeting, held on 28 February 2025, also featured insightful presentations designed to equip grantees with essential knowledge for successful collaboration. The Grants Manager led a session on Grant Reporting and Financial Management, providing key guidance on financial oversight, compliance, and accountability. Additionally, the Communications Manager delivered a session on Communications and Advocacy, outlining strategies to enhance the visibility and impact of research. These sessions were instrumental in deepening grantees’ understanding of both the administrative and strategic dimensions of their projects, underscoring the critical role of clear communication, robust financial management, and effective advocacy in achieving shared goals.
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