CIPA was a joint initiative between Utrecht University's Centre for Global Challenges and NIERA. The project was developed in response to evidence highlighting the limited technical capacity among Global South academics to conduct impact evaluations (IE) that inform public policy, as well as broader capacity gaps on both the demand and supply sides of IE in Africa.
Over a two-year period, the program equipped a new generation of 214 African researchers and policymakers with a strong foundation in rigorous IE methodologies and their practical application in policymaking. The initiative engaged 12 fellows who collaboratively developed 12 impact evaluation curricula for integration into programs at 10 academic and 2 research institutions across Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. CIPA also fostered continuous peer-to-peer learning among fellows, contributing to a vibrant and supportive learning community.