The two key objectives of the Action Research Projects are a) to learn more, and facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and expertise, about the interface between research and policy, and b) to support researchers, development practitioners and policymakers to promote more evidence-based policy and practice. A budget of £20,000 was allocated to support 5 ARPs over 2 years and a call for proposals was issued to CSPP partners in April 2006 for projects which:

• Focus on CSO engagement with policy processes,
• Deepen general understanding about how CSOs use research-based evidence,
• Capitalise on existing knowledge CSO’s obtained through research (rather than including new research), and
• Explore the practical challenges of policy engagement.