The policy research work undertaken at IDEP complements the Institute’s training programme and responds to the needs of the policy-making communities and other stakeholders. Indeed, the short courses are combined with high-level dialogues, development seminars and a fellowship programme, that are considered as research based activities. The research component provides strategic guidance to the courses to be delivered and updates and adapts their contents according to the changes in the environment and the priorities of our countries’ development agendas. IDEP acts as a think tank with the aim of guiding policy change and decision making at the highest level on a number of development challenges. In this context, IDEP has regularly flagship research activities that help to strengthen the link between development research and policy action in Africa while providing a framework for debate and innovative thinking:

• IDEP High-level policy dialogues series
• IDEP Development Seminars (IDS) series 
• IDEP Fellowship programme