Our Operational Mandate
Rapid response service
Our Rapid Response Service (RRS) is a knowledge translation service in Uganda that responds to a decision maker’s needs for evidence with synthesised relevant evidence, contextualised and summarised in an accessible package.
The Rapid Response Service (RRS) includes the synthesis and dissemination of the best available evidence in response to urgent demands of policymaking. As a ‘pull’ strategy, the RRS facilitates timely access to accurate evidence for policymaking within a specified time, often 28 days.
The model includes an iterative process clarifying the problem with the policymaker, ensuring the policy query is within its specified scope, searching and synthesising the evidence, and summarising and packaging the evidence. This is followed by a review process that includes internal and external reviews to ensure fidelity to processes and framing is relevant to the policy discussions, respectively. The RRS is managed by a team of researchers readily available to policymakers and conduct the searches within the specified period.
The evidence generated through the RRS impacts policymaking in Uganda. For instance, at the national level, the evidence was used to inform policy on the mandatory food fortification policy leading to the mandatory food fortification policy after a voluntary food fortification programme.
At the lower administrative level, the RRS informed the community distribution of misoprostol to women to reduce postpartum haemorrhage. It also reduced the turnaround time for Gene Xpert results to reduce the turnaround time for diagnosis of tuberculosis, both in Mukono District.
The RRS is demand driven and the commitment is to respond to the need for evidence to inform decisions in crisis situations (real or perceived) within 28 days. The service was set up to benefit a wide range of users in the health sector at senior to mid-levels including policy makers in government at all levels, civil society, academia, multi- and bilateral DPs and the private sector.
The RRS has been expanded from health, to include education, gender, youth and renewable energy sectors.
Evidence Synthesis
Policy Engagement and Analysis
ACRES engages with policy networks to enhance the implementation of evidence-informed decision-making. ACRES assesses and analyses policy landscapes to identify opportunities for improvement. Through stakeholder engagement activities, such as mapping, policy dialogues, breakfast meetings, and citizen panels, ACRES fosters collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
By managing these networks and collaborations, we facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices. ACRES leverages various communication channels, including podcasts, to disseminate our findings and insights, promoting a culture of evidence-informed decision-making. Through these efforts, ACRES aims to increase the impact of evidence on policy decisions, ultimately driving better outcomes and informing policy solutions that benefit communities in Uganda.
Capacity Building
ACRES is dedicated to building and sustaining the capacity of researchers, knowledge brokers, and decision-makers in evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM). We achieve this through sensitization and capacity-building workshops, which lay the foundation for understanding the importance of EIDM. Additionally, we offer mentoring programs that provide personalized guidance and support in EIDM.
To further enhance capacity, we conduct courses on various strategies for EIDM, empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to integrate evidence into decision-making processes. ACRES’s institutional capacity-building efforts support organizations in developing the infrastructure and systems needed to sustain EIDM practices.
By investing in the capacity of researchers, knowledge brokers, and decision-makers, ACRES aims to create a culture of evidence-informed decision-making that transcends individuals and institutions. The goal is to ensure that evidence-informed decision-making becomes an integral part of the decision-making process, leading to better health outcomes and more effective policies.
Research, Innovation and Evaluation
Through studies and operational research, ACRES explores new pathways and strategies for EIDM, seeking to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
By researching, innovating, and evaluating EIDM approaches, we aim to enhance the delivery of evidence-informed decision-making. ACRES’s goal is to ensure that decision-makers have access to the best available evidence, enabling them to make informed choices that improve outcomes and policies in Uganda.
The team conducts studies that advance the field of EIDM, ensuring their decision-making recommendations are grounded in the latest research. Additionally, the team performs operational research to optimize existing delivery methods and refine them for better results.
Evidence to Policy Training Programme
The Evidence to Policy Training Programme is developed to cultivate all aspects of Evidence Informed Decision Making (EIDM), including technical expertise, cultural competences and collaborative skills. The Programme delivers a comprehensive and effective learning experience that equips participants to excel in EIDM.
It is designed to transform the global EIDM landscape, ultimately creating a new generation of empowered leaders in evidence informed policymaking to address the most pressing global challenges and foster sustainable development.