Southern African Resilience Academy

IFAD/Edward Echwalu

The Southern African Resilience Academy (SARA), based at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

SARA’s role is to act as a convening and support space for inter- and transdisciplinary researchers and practitioners working across southern Africa to engage around pressing resilience and development challenges in the region. The academy’s goals are to strengthen existing expert networks, expand collaboration, and facilitate the co-production of policy and practice-relevant knowledge. Furthermore, SARA aims to contribute directly and meaningfully to regional and global policy discussions around resilience and development, and elevate the southern African voice in international fora.

Read the 2021 – 2023 Outcome Report here.

SARA I: Food Systems Transformations

In 2021, SARA focused on Food System Transformations in southern Africa.

SARA II: Building Equitable Resilience in Southern Africa

From 2022 – 2023, SARA supported eight working groups to synthesise knowledge on building equitable resilience.

SARA III: Transformative Pathways to Resilient and Sustainable Futures

From 2025-2027, SARA will support eight working groups to synthesise knowledge under the theme of transformative pathways.

News from SARA

Bridging the gap: Strengthening urban food system in Zambia through resilience initiatives

Delve into an array of outputs from a cartoons to policy notes that aim to address the complex challenges within urban food systems in the region.

Insights for food systems transformation from southern Africa

This photo essay illustrates key themes and recommendations that emerged from these SARA engagements, with a focus on addressing barriers and unlocking important actions to transform food systems in southern Africa.

Call for Working Groups: Building equitable resilience in southern Africa

The Southern African Resilience Academy invites proposals for collaborative working groups to pursue inter- or transdisciplinary research. Applications due by 31 January 2022.

Southern African Food Systems

Ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) this September, several independent regional dialogues have been taking place to better understand the context around regional food systems.