Participatory Action Research and Policy Advocacy Center Africa (PARPACA Africa) is an African non-profit NGO, think tank, and innovation platform working at the intersection of research, policy, and innovation to advance sustainable development and address interconnected challenges across Africa. We work with African and European partners as equal collaborators, combining research, innovation, local and indigenous knowledge, and policy action to co-design practical solutions with lasting impact.
About Us
WHO WE ARE-
Participatory Action Research and Policy Advocacy Center Africa (PARPACA Africa) is an African non-profit NGO, think tank, and innovation platform built around three core pillars: research, policy, and innovation.
Working across Africa through regional representatives and partnerships, PARPACA conducts research, develops policy solutions, and co-designs and implements innovative projects with African and European partners.
Our work addresses the interconnected challenges facing Africa, Europe, and the wider world, including climate change and environmental sustainability; biodiversity and natural resources; food and nutrition security and sustainable food systems; circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy; green industrialisation and sustainable economic transformation; technology and digital innovation; poverty, inequality, employment, livelihoods and social inclusion; public health and community resilience; peace, conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and recovery; democracy, governance and institutional resilience; and inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.
HOW WE WORK-
Building Equitable Africa–Europe Partnerships
PARPACA brings African and European organisations together as equal partners from the beginning to the end of projects. Partners work together from project conception and co-design through research, innovation, piloting, implementation, evaluation, and scaling.
We work with communities, public institutions, civil society organisations, universities, research institutions, innovators, SMEs, innovation hubs, and development partners to develop solutions based on shared ownership, joint decision-making, mutual accountability, and complementary expertise.
Our partnerships are based on mutual learning, co-creation, and reciprocal value. African partners contribute indigenous and local knowledge, lived experience, research perspectives, innovation, networks, and implementation capacity, while European partners contribute complementary expertise, technologies, research capacity, networks, and access to wider knowledge and innovation ecosystems.
Both Africa and Europe contribute, learn, innovate, and benefit. Knowledge, technologies, expertise, and solutions flow in both directions, creating partnerships based on genuine collaboration rather than a one-way transfer of knowledge or technology.
FROM RESEARCH TO IMPACT-
Research → Policy → Co-Design → Innovation → Knowledge & Technology Exchange → Piloting → Demonstration → Learning & Adaptation → Scaling → Impact
PARPACA moves ideas from research and evidence to practical action. We work with partners to co-design solutions, test and demonstrate them in real-world settings, learn and adapt from experience, and support successful approaches towards replication and scaling.
Through this approach, PARPACA aims to develop locally grounded, scalable, and measurable solutions that contribute to more inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies in Africa and beyond.
Research Projects
Strategic Partners
Operational Reach
Our Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
At PARPACA Africa, we are committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through high-quality research, innovation, evidence-informed policy, capacity strengthening, and strategic partnerships. Our work generates practical knowledge and integrated solutions that address Africa's most pressing development challenges while supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. Recognising that sustainable development challenges are interconnected, we adopt systems-based approaches that bring together governments, academic institutions, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and local communities. By translating evidence into action and fostering collaboration across sectors, we help shape policies, strengthen institutions, and deliver sustainable impact that improves lives across Africa.
We contribute to poverty reduction by generating evidence, strengthening livelihoods, promoting inclusive economic opportunities, supporting sustainable food systems, and informing policies that improve resilience, social inclusion, and long-term development outcomes for vulnerable communities across Africa.
We advance sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, climate-smart farming, nutrition, and food security through research, innovation, and evidence-informed policy.
We strengthen knowledge systems through research capacity development, professional training, knowledge exchange, and lifelong learning opportunities.
We promote gender-responsive research, inclusive development, women’s leadership, youth empowerment, and equal participation in decision-making.
We promote renewable energy, clean technologies, sustainable energy systems, and equitable access to affordable energy solutions.
We support inclusive economic development through entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, green jobs, and sustainable livelihoods.
We strengthen innovation ecosystems, industrial transformation, digital technologies, research commercialisation, and sustainable infrastructure development.
We work to reduce social and economic inequalities by promoting inclusive policies, equitable opportunities, and the participation of vulnerable and marginalised communities.
We promote resource efficiency, circular economy approaches, sustainable production systems, responsible value chains, and environmentally sustainable business practices.
We generate knowledge and solutions that strengthen climate adaptation, climate resilience, mitigation strategies, ecosystem-based approaches, and climate policy.
We support biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, natural resource governance, and environmental protection.
We strengthen governance, public policy, institutional capacity, transparency, accountability, peacebuilding, and evidence-informed decision-making.
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We build strategic partnerships across Africa and globally to strengthen research, innovation, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and sustainable development action.
Additional Focus
At PARPACA Africa, we do not view the Sustainable Development Goals as isolated priorities. Instead, we recognise that sustainable development requires integrated, systems-based solutions that address the complex relationships between people, economies, institutions, and the environment. By combining interdisciplinary research, innovation, policy engagement, capacity strengthening, and strategic partnerships, we generate practical knowledge and co-create solutions that improve livelihoods, strengthen institutions, protect natural resources, and accelerate sustainable and inclusive development across Africa. Together with our partners, we are helping to build a more resilient, innovative, equitable, and sustainable future for Africa.
Our Strategic Focus Areas
PARPACA Africa works across key development sectors that are critical to building resilient economies, thriving communities, and sustainable futures. Through research, innovation, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based solutions, we address interconnected development challenges while supporting inclusive and transformative growth across the continent.
We promote circular economy approaches that improve resource efficiency, minimize waste, and maximize the value of products and materials throughout their lifecycle. Our work advances sustainable production and consumption, circular business models, resource recovery, recycling and reuse, green manufacturing, and value addition across sectors including textiles, plastics, agriculture, manufacturing, and waste management.
We support climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development through research, innovation, and practical solutions that protect ecosystems and strengthen community resilience. Our work focuses on climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, environmental restoration, renewable energy, and green development pathways.
We foster innovation ecosystems that transform ideas into sustainable solutions and thriving enterprises. By supporting entrepreneurs, startups, small and medium enterprises, researchers, and innovators, we promote technology adoption, business development, enterprise growth, innovation commercialization, and inclusive economic transformation.
We champion inclusive development by expanding opportunities for young people, women, and marginalized communities to participate meaningfully in economic, social, and innovation systems. Our work strengthens entrepreneurship, leadership, skills development, financial inclusion, decent employment, and equitable access to opportunities that improve livelihoods and reduce inequality.
Strong institutions are essential for sustainable development. We generate evidence, facilitate dialogue, and strengthen institutional capacity to support effective policies, organizational performance, strategic planning, and informed decision-making. By connecting research with practice, we help organizations develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve programmes, strengthen systems, and enhance long-term development outcomes.
We work to improve the resilience and well-being of individuals and communities by creating sustainable economic opportunities and strengthening local development systems. Our initiatives support value chain development, enterprise growth, skills development, income diversification, community resilience, food security, and inclusive local economic development.
We promote sustainable industrial development that creates decent jobs while protecting natural resources and reducing environmental impacts. Our work advances green manufacturing, cleaner production, industrial innovation, sustainable value chains, resource-efficient industries, circular production systems, and environmentally responsible industrial growth across Africa.
Across every focus area, PARPACA Africa integrates research, innovation, policy engagement, capacity strengthening, and strategic partnerships to co-create practical, scalable, and evidence-based solutions. By working collaboratively with communities, academia, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, we contribute to a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Africa.
Collaboration & Support
At PARPACA Africa, we believe that sustainable development is achieved through strong, inclusive, and long-term partnerships. We collaborate with communities, civil society, academic institutions, and development partners to co-create evidence-based, context-specific solutions that strengthen local capacity, inform policy, and drive sustainable systems change.
PARPACA Africa works with diverse organisations to advance sustainable and inclusive development across Africa.
Together, we can create lasting change and build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for Africa.
Join The Movement
Partner with PARPACA to strengthen communities, advance evidence-based policies, and build sustainable solutions that drive meaningful impact across Africa.
