About the Partnership for Evidence and Equity in Responsive Social Systems
Advancing evidence-informed decision making since 2018
Launched in 2018, the overall aim of the Partnership for Evidence and Equity in Responsive Social Systems (PEERSS) is to strengthen the use of appropriate mechanisms and build conducive environments for advancing evidence-informed policymaking (EIP) in the social systems, with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
PEERSS brings together partners from 13 countries, many with long-standing ties to ministries of health, to learn from and support each other in promoting the use of research evidence in policymaking. The 13 partners draw on a range of approaches and tools – including, systematic reviews, rapid syntheses of evidence, stakeholder dialogues, and citizen panels – to provide decision makers with the evidence they need to address key priorities.
The project’s specific objectives are:
PILOT
Pilot and iteratively refine mechanisms, adapted from health systems research to support EIP in social systems with a focus on the non-health SDGs
STRENGTHEN
Strengthen targeted organizations’ institutional capacities to support EIP in social systems, including social policies
JOIN
Join up country-level ecosystems of policy-supporting organizations that have the potential to support EIP in social systems in the 13 countries
DEVELOP
Develop a community of practice to support ongoing structured lesson-drawing about how best to support EIP in social systems; and amplify the lessons country partners are learning about EIP and knowledge brokering for application across other contexts
Our Mission
The mission of PEERSS is “Working together for better evidence, better decisions, better lives.”
PEERSS believes that social systems can play a critical role in transforming people’s lives. The role of our partnership is then to support social systems in responding to people’s needs, with decisions based on transparent, fair and accountable processes, and that acknowledge the value of systematically engaging citizens’ perspectives and opinions in policy decisions.
Governance
PEERSS is led by member partners representing regional clusters in West and Central Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria); East and Southern Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa); Latin America and the Caribbean (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago); the Middle East (Lebanon); Asia (China); and the United Kingdom.
A Strategic Decision Making Team (SDMT) comprising partners and representation from PEERSS funders makes strategic decisions on behalf of the partners. As coordinating organization, R4D facilitates collaborative learning and day-to-day administration of the partnership.
Meet the PEERSS Partners
The 13 partners represent regional clusters in West and Central Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria); East and Southern Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa); Latin America and the Caribbean (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago); the Middle East (Lebanon); Asia (China); and the United Kingdom.
Partners from the Knowledge to Policy Center at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, the Africa Center for Evidence at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, and the
EPPI-Center, University College London in the United Kingdom serve as Synergy Support Teams offering technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to the country teams.
Results for Development (R4D) is the coordinating organization for PEERSS, a role previously played by the McMaster Health Forum.
Brazil
Cameroon
China
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Burkina Faso
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
Chile
Colombia
Lebanon
South Africa
Uganda
PEERSS
Funders
PEERSS is jointly funded by the International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
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