The Policy Innovation Lab recently participated in a Sustainable Development Goals Initiative II (SDGi) partners’ workshop in Pretoria on 16 and 17 March 2026.
The SDGi is a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together government, academia, civil society and development partners to co-create policy solutions that are evidence-based. Supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative strengthens the Presidency’s Policy and Research Services (PRS) by linking research and policymaking through high-quality policy analysis, evaluation and recommendations.
The SDGi partners also include the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute at the University of Pretoria and African Monitor Trust, each contributing complementary expertise across research, policy engagement and civil society mobilisation. This collaboration represents a dynamic partnership that combines policy proximity, academic rigour and grassroots insight to strengthen institutional capacity for evidence-based policymaking in South Africa.
SDGi seeks to enhance the use of evidence within public policy processes, particularly at the centre of government. This includes enabling the PRS to play a more active role in policy review, gap identification and the provision of strategic, research-driven advice. The initiative further focuses on generating evidence to inform decision-making, strengthening policy impact, advancing inclusive dialogue on priority policy areas and leveraging data through digital tools and responsible artificial intelligence. Following its transition into a second phase in October 2025, the SDGi has placed increased emphasis on consolidating successful approaches and securing long-term impact. This phase prioritises strengthening institutional capacity and embedding proven methods within government systems.
The evidence generated through the initiative contributes to key national reforms and supports the integration of socio-economic impact considerations into policymaking processes. It addresses pressing national challenges, including gender-based violence and femicide, coalition governance, and climate policy alignment. In practice, this work enhances the quality of legislation, supports the development of policy frameworks, and informs policy reviews. For a comprehensive overview of achievements, please refer to the 2025 SDGi report.
Within this partnership, the Policy Innovation Lab plays a key role in responding to the growing demand for digital tools and responsible AI in government. It also contributes to fostering inclusive policy dialogue by convening stakeholders across government, academia and civil society to support collaborative and informed decision-making.
Read more about the SDGi here.
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