A. About the Project 

Numerous governments, businesses, and civil society organisations aim to contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the Global South. However, cherry-picking SDGs coupled with lack of alignment between initiatives means trade-offs are not addressed and opportunities for synergy are missed. When trade-offs are not addressed, progress in one SDG comes at the expense of progress in another SDG. When synergies are ignored, valuable opportunities are lost and resources wasted. This underminesthe effectiveness of the indivisible SDG agenda, which seeks to reach all the goals simultaneously. Addressing trade -offs and building synergies between SDGs requires alignment between development actors and efforts that are driven by different priorities and interests. Progress towards achieving the SDGs is hampered by international development projects duplicating efforts on the ground; lack of coherence between donor policies; misalignment between national policies and multilateral development programmes; and diverging private sector investments. Aligning SDG efforts by these public and private actors operating across levels has itself become a challenge that will determine whether SDGs will be met in 2030. The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), together with our international, Dutch and East-African partners, is implementing ‘Governing SDGs interaction in East Africa which studies the effectiveness of governance mechanisms that aim to align SDG efforts between:

• different government departments  
• donors and recipients  
• different donors  
• public and private initiatives  

Governing SDG interactions is challenging, given that resources and responsibilities for different SDGs and SDG targets are fragmented across sectors and levels, resulting in governance gaps. 

Its aim is to study alignment mechanisms between public and private actors at different governance levels, with the goal of transforming fragmented SDG governance into an inclusive and effective polycentric governance system that allows trade -offs to be addressed and synergies to be built between SDGs.

• Inter-departmental alignment: addressing SDG interactions through aligning aid,  trade, and investment policies, and policies of other ministries.
• Donor–recipient alignment: addressing SDG interactions through aligning  development assistance with the development strategies in the global South.
• Inter-donor alignment: addressing SDG interactions through aligning development  assistance with other bilateral and multilateral donors. 
• Public-private alignment: addressing SDG interactions through aligning public and  private development initiatives.

It also aims to support better alignment between development actors and efforts, to minimize trade-offs, maximize synergies, and achieve the SDGs in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. In each case study country, one SDG is the starting point for studying trade-offs and synergies with other SDGs:

• Ethiopia: Multi-level study of interactions with SDG15 (Life on land): the challenge of  landscape restoration  
• Kenya: Multi-level study of interactions with SDG2 (No hunger): the challenge of  climate-smart livestock  
• Uganda: Multi-level study of interactions with SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation): the  urban water-energy-food nexus 

B. Terms of Application  

✞ Approximately 10 mini-grants of about 2500 euros each will be issued on a competitive basis.  

✞ A maximum of 5 mini-grants per African region, namely, East, South, West, and Central Africa, will be issued. Preference will be given to those in the Francophone Africa region. 

✞ Mini-grants will generate evidence from different African countries beyond the ones earmarked for this study.   

✞ Awardees will have to undertake to commit their time from the research inception to the completion of the research project.

C. Thematic Focus of the Mini-grants 

Recognizing the urgent need to align efforts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Global South, and the importance of addressing trade-offs and synergies in SDG governance, we welcome country case studies in English. These studies should explore the existing alignment mechanisms between public and private actors, and across different governance levels. The aim is to identify gaps, challenges, recommended actions, and opportunities for strengthening the alignment of SDG efforts. 

Awardees will be expected to conduct self -initiated case studies focused on their home countries, Priority will be given to studies that focus on SDG interactions in sectors such as landscape restoration (SDG 15), climate-smart livestock practices (SDG 2), or the urban  water- energy-food nexus (SDG 6). These case studies should contribute significantly to the understanding of how to transform fragmented SDG governance into an inclusive and effective system. The findings should not only benefit the fellow’s home country but also hold broader applicability for other regions in Africa.

D. Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for an ARIN Governing SDGs interactions Mini-grant, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

1. Current ARIN Fellow: We welcome applications from all interested researchers, however, those actively participating in the ARIN Fellowship program will be prioritized. 
2. Research and/or Policy Experience: Applicants should demonstrate experience in conducting research or working in a policy-related field. Applications focusing on SDG interactions in sectors such as landscape restoration (SDG 15), climate-smart  livestock practices (SDG 2), or the urban water – energy – food nexus (SDG 6) sectors will be prioritized.
3. Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized research institution (e.g., universities, think tanks) or a relevant policy organization (e.g., government departments).
4. No Prior ARIN Funding: Applicants cannot have received full or partial funding from ARIN for the same proposed project. 

Selection Preference: While all applications will be considered, preference will be given to applicants from the Global South. 

E. Expected Activities 

The ARIN Governing SDGs interactions Mini-grant program fosters knowledge exchange and capacity building through a variety of outputs: 

1. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration 

• Learning and exchange webinars: Awardees will participate in webinars to share  research findings and engage with a wider audience. 
• Research seminars: Awardees will present their research at the various ARIN seminars to foster discussion and collaboration.  
• Monthly convenings: Throughout the grant period, ARIN will host monthly meetings  specifically focused on Governing SDGs interactions
• and the progress of awardees’ case  studies. These meetings will culminate in the Fellows’ Assembly in November 2025. 
• ARIN Friday Reviews: Awardees will get the privilege to be slotted in ARIN Friday  Reviews.  

2. Capacity Building: 

• Mentorship and training: Fellows will receive ongoing mentorship and training in  scientific writing, research translation and communication skills, equipping them to  effectively communicate their findings in various formats.  

3. Knowledge Products: 

• Book volume: A book volume will be published, featuring in-country case studies  authored by the awardees. This book volume will be published by Taylor & Francis, a  leading global publisher. 

F. Application Requirements 

Applicants will be selected through a competitive process based on the following criteria: 

• Eligibility: Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section D. 

• Application Materials: A complete application package includes:  

• A statement of motivation speaking on the applicant’s qualifications and suitability 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Verified academic documents  
• At least 1 academic reference letter  
• Research Concept Note: This document should outline the proposed research topic,  methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Detailed Project Budget: Specify costs associated with all project activities. Please note  that budgets exceeding the indicated maximum allocation will not be accommodated. g) Relevant electronic copy of a sample publication where the applicant is the sole, lead  or senior author.  

G. Evaluation Process 

The selection committee, composed of the ARIN Executive Director, relevant ARIN program  managers (i.e. Research, Policy & Engagement, and Fellowship) and the Governing SDGs interactions Technical Lead and Project Manager, will evaluate applications through a two stage process involving an initial screening and an in-depth merit review. A shortlist of qualified applicants will be selected for further evaluation based on:  

• Applicant Motivation  
• Concept Relevance  
• Research-Policy Experience  
• Alignment to the overall goal and conceptualisation of the project  
• Potential for impact  
• Methodological robustness, among others including gender equity, equality, and  inclusion.  

Finalists will be notified of the award and invited to attend an orientation session to discuss  research project objectives and expectations. Upon successful completion of the orientation,  finalists will be presented with a fellowship agreement to sign. 

H. Gender Equity, Equality and Inclusion  

ARIN recognizes that gender equity, equality, and inclusion are fundamental human rights and  essential foundations for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Therefore, we strongly  encourage applicants to submit gender-responsive or transformative project proposals that  prioritize these principles.  

For more details on how gender considerations will be integrated into the evaluation process  and potential research topics, please refer to ARIN’s online gender guidelines. 

I. Monitoring and Evaluation  

To ensure successful project implementation, ARIN will employ a monitoring and evaluation  process throughout the mini-grant cycle. Awardees will be required to submit regular progress  reports to the ARIN Fellowship Manager. These reports will detail implementation progress,  achieved results, and any challenges encountered. The reports will track performance against  pre-determined indicators established collaboratively between the Fellowship Manager and  each recipient.  

Upon project completion, recipients must submit a final report. This comprehensive document  will assess the project’s success, catalogue deliverables, and provide a financial summary. The report will also capture key learnings and experiences throughout the grant period. It serves the  dual purpose of meeting ARIN’s reporting requirements and informing decisions regarding future grant awards. 

The ARIN Secretariat will review these reports to evaluate project success, potential for further  funding, and overall program impact.

J. How to Apply 

For full consideration, applications must be submitted via e-mail to e.akinyi@arin-africa.org copying a.irungu@arin-africa.org, and l.ochieng@arin-africa.org no later than 13th October 2024. 

Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.