Who We are

▬ Who We are ▬

Policy decisions made in the dark are costly—not just in terms of budgets, but in human impact. At the Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), we solve the “time problem” in governance. We take the wealth of existing global research and compress it into the fast, reliable evidence that African decision-makers need on their desks today.

For 16 years, our Kampala-based team has served as a technical ally to ministries and agencies across the continent, helping turn raw data into clear next steps for teams at regional, national, and sub-national levels.

Our impact is most visible in the “last mile” of decision-making. For example, our rapid response interventions have directly reshaped cervical cancer screening protocols at the district level, replacing guesswork with proven clinical pathways.

We provide the vetted evidence required to ensure that public and donor resources are directed toward what actually works. At ACRES, we are building the infrastructure for a more accountable and effective African governance.

Years of experience

ACRES implemented the first ever Rapid Response Service (RRS) as a strategy for evidence -informed decision-making for policymaking in low- and middle-income countries. The RRS (now digitally cloned by the cRhona platform), involves 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.

Our Mission

To provide timely and responsive knowledge for equitable policymaking.

Our Vision

A world in which the use of evidence for urgent decisions reduces inequity and improves socioeconomic outcomes

Our Objectives

To facilitate access to timely, relevant and high-quality evidence in response to decision makers’ urgent needs and demands for policy and decision making

To research, evaluate and innovate pathways and strategies for evidence-informed decision-making to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their delivery globally

To build and sustain the capacity of researchers, knowledge brokers, and decision-makers in strategies for evidence-informed decision-making

To assess, analyse, and engage with policy networks to improve the implementation of evidence-informed decision-making

To build a world-class profile for mechanisms and strategies that promote timely access and evidence use through the growth of robust partnerships, networks and advocacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rapid Response Service?

The Rapid Response Service is a mechanism for evidence informed decision-making that involves providing high quality contextualized, and relevant evidence in an easy-to-read format in a timely manner.

How long does it take to process a request?

The evidence is provided in hours, days or weeks to respond to an urgent need of a decision-maker.

When was the rapid response service started?

The Rapid Response Service was started in 2010 at Makerere University under the Policy Initiative for Regional East African Community Health project. It was the first ever Rapid Response Service.

Where else is the model working?

ACRES as a first of its kind has provided the model currently replicated in over 14 countries in Africa, Asia, South America and North America.

Who are your clientele?

ACRES offers services to government, districts, NGOs, universities, companies, policymakers, researchers and more.

How can we get in touch?

Phone calls, text messages, email, or WhatsApp.

Phone: +256 703 700 265
Email: info@acres.or.ug