Research

Analysis and Specific Objectives of the Research

Europe and Africa represent two major regions in the world, with several important assets but also critical flaws.

Although in different degrees, they both need: to enhance their resilience to global shocks; to strengthen the synergy and complementarity of their inter-regional value chains; to better invest in human capital, with creative upskilling and migration management; to jointly design projects for energy autonomy, communication and transport infrastructure; to defend and valorise, although at different degrees and with different approaches, the cultural heritage and to build a multi-layered identity, to defend and promote democracy and participatory processes.

Research Topics

Addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable development

Enhancing natural, cultural, and human capital

Promoting inter-regional strategic views and actions

Strengthening African regional institutions and integration

Research Converging Lines

European Countries

The first layer concerns the European countries, where we shall enquire into the degree of awareness of trans-regional interdependence with Africa and the potential acceptance of a jointly designed plan for Next Generation EU-Africa Relations. Through interviews, questionnaires, and field research, starting from the EU countries involved (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, and Sweden; that shall be later enlarged to other EU countries thanks to the connections and networks of each University, such as Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Latvia) we shall: a) single out the features that should be underlined and those that should be better explained to academics, major stakeholders, and the larger public; b) enquire into the expected results from the EU side of a jointly-designed plan for investment for a Next Generation EU-Africa plan and; c) design narratives that may enhance the acceptance of such joint strategy. We shall further collect data concerningongoing and proposed projects of cooperation to identify relevant priorities and reflect on potential synergies.

Africa

The second layer concerns Africa, and is related to collecting data concerning needs and priorities, indicators of potential threats and opportunities, starting from the above-mentioned suggestions in the involved partner countries (Morocco, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Africa; then enlarging the enquiry to other African countries that are linked to the partner Universities, such as Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Sao Tomé and Principe, Niger, Mali, Angola, and Mozambique); and to compare: a) the quality of information that people have about these political-economic issues as well as; b) the extent to which citizens are responsive to new information; c) the intersectoral expected impact of each action for the different priority on the others.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.