Page 66 - AERC Strategic Plan 2 July2020

THE AERC 2020–2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

Appendix II: Theory of Change

The Purpose

This section details the Theory of Change (ToC) that has provided a specific and
measurable description of the change that the AERC has incorporated and engendered
in its strategic plan for the period 2020–2025. It forms the basis for monitoring and
evaluation and ongoing decision-making by the AERC and should be read in conjunction
with the associated ME Plan. This ToC identifies and defines AERC’s goal and objectives;
presents the domains of change covered by this theory; and outlines the end-of-strategy
outcomes that the AERC seeks to achieve by the end of 2025. It identifies a range of
immediate and intermediate outcomes, outputs, and activities that provide a pathway to
that achievement. In addition, it explains the various assumptions upon which this ToC
rests, while also outlining the associated risks.

The Goal

The goal of the AERC over the next five years is to: contribute to greater economic
stability and growth in sub-Saharan African economies through capacity development and
research output that will support the implementation of evidence-based economic policy.
This ToC recognises that implementation of evidence-based economic policy is not the
responsibility of the AERC, as this is primarily the responsibility of national government
economic institutions; however, this is something toward which the AERC can make
a meaningful and substantial contribution through its capacity-building support for
economic policy-related research and training, university-level institutional capacity
building, and its work with government economic agencies. But more importantly, the
AERC can provide a discussion forum on policy choices and options that can work and
can be adapted through its Communication and Policy Outreach Programme.

The achievement of this goal will, in turn, support the achievement of the United Nations
SDG 8, which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. To
achieve this, societies must create conditions that generate high-quality employment
while also improving productivity. This helps ensure that growth is broad-based and
inclusive. Institutional quality (particularly in the area of economic decision-making) is
very important in this regard. This helps ensure that evidence-based decisions regarding
these important areas can be made. The AERC directly addresses these issues in several
ways, as explained below.

The AERC’s work during the next five years will also directly support the achievement
of SDG Goal 5 on Gender Equality, as it seeks to provide women with equal access
to economic policy-related education while also increasing the voice of women and

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