The Evidence to Policy (E2P) Training Programme

In many governance settings, a critical gap exists: researchers struggle to make their data relevant, and policymakers lack the tools to turn that data into action. This disconnect doesn’t just slow down progress but also stalls development. The ACRES Evidence to Policy (E2P) Training Programme was launched to bridge this divide, creating a new generation of leaders who are as technically skilled as they are strategically minded.

E2P is a rigorous, hands-on journey designed to cultivate technical expertise, cultural competence, and collaborative fluency. We teach learners how to harness evidence to break cycles of inequality and drive national growth.

The programme focuses on three pillars:

• Moving beyond theory to master the actual mechanics of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM).
• Fostering a high-trust ecosystem where policymakers, researchers, and interns collaborate in real-time.
• Developing the practical, high-stakes skills required to lead in complex, fast-moving policy environments.

The three levels of mastery

To ensure deep impact, the programme is structured into three progressive tiers, allowing participants to grow from foundational knowledge to systemic leadership:

1. Entry-Level: Building the core vocabulary and basic tools of evidence synthesis. Our inaugural 15-week cohort successfully completed this stage in February 2025.
2. Mid-Level: Transitioning into the application of evidence in sectoral planning. Our second cohort reached this milestone in November 2025.
3. Advanced-Level: Mastering the last mile of policy, navigating political landscapes, institutionalizing EIDM, and leading large-scale evidence initiatives.

Why E2P matters

By the time a participant completes the E2P journey, they are no longer just a researcher or a government official, they are an Evidence Broker. They possess the ability to translate complex data into life-saving policy, ensuring that African development is no longer guided by guesswork, but by the highest-quality intelligence available.