The Strategic Direction

Achieving the regions environmental policy and sustainability goals will require a systematic and coordinated response from the region. Necessitating seamless collaboration between the regions Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and Environment and Climate Change sectors. FEROSA through its transdisciplinary bottom-up approach is well-positioned to coordinate and support the various regional programmes in the STI and Environment and Climate Change sectors. To achieve this coordination, FEROSA, guided by the global research framework will deploy and support an inclusive, integrative, and solution-oriented research agenda.

FEROSA’S Strategic Goals

FEROSA’s strategic goals are built around research, building networks, resource mobilisation, and connecting people and partners. FEROSA can provide a platform for science-to-policy and practice engagements, fostering engagement between key actors (including academics, policymakers and civil society), and connecting researchers and societal partners, (such as leaders in policy, business and civil society), to each other and to Future Earth. FEROSA can promote Southern African-specific efforts and priorities, and build a regional Future Earth vision.

The Operational Framework

The proposed structure and role of the FEROSA are highlighted below under three main engagement strategies that include Research, Networking, and Resource Mobilization, and People and Partners.

Research

  • Fostering support for trans- and interdisciplinary research across key thematic areas that respond to regional challenges, e.g. water, food security, climate change, etc.
  • Support national and regional-level scientific research initiatives aligned with Future Earth research themes and programmes, as well as connecting regional researchers and societal partners to funding opportunities.

Networking and Resource Mobilization

  • Fostering networks of organizations nationally, regionally, and internationally. This will be achieved through the establishment and running of national and regional networks for Future Earth.
  • Creating platforms to enhance networks among regional experts as well as linkages with experts globally.
  • Promoting the strengthening of institutional support and identifying opportunities that encourages the next generation of scientists to tackle some of the world’s most pressing sustainability problems, with specific emphasis on regional innovation.
  • Leveraging existing human capacity programmes (workshops, training programmes/platforms and conferences) to enhance skills development among Future Earth stakeholders.
  • Create platforms to share funding opportunities.

Objectives of FEROSA

The objectives of Ferosa is to promote transdisciplinary research activities in the area of sustainability research relevant to the challenges of the Southern African region and connect the Global Change and sustainability community in the Southern African region. Ferosa aims to advocate for funding and capacity building opportunities that will support and sustain the regional global change and sustainability research community while increasing awareness of regional policies, initiatives, activities and opportunities aligned with FEROSA objectives. To build and foster national, regional and international partnerships and networks with a wide range of stakeholders including regional experts, academia, researchers, policymakers, civil society and business.