About ArcX

Title: Transversal Component.

Main Objective: Operate through the JRC’s Africa Knowledge Platform and serve as an integration engine, connecting thematic sectors and aligning the contributions of the RCoEs around a unified and coherent vision.

Specific Objectives:

1. Ensure effective coordination of the ArcX programme through a robust and well-managed transversal mechanism;
2. Enhance the science–policy interface by providing targeted support services that facilitate evidence-based decision-making;
3. Strengthen knowledge circulation and collective learning across ArcX through an efficient and interoperable knowledge management mechanism;
4. Promote inter-sectoral networking and partnership opportunities by delivering tailored support services that connect actors across thematic and regional domains.

Starting Year: 2023
Implementation Duration: 6 years

Areas of Impact:

1. Strategic coherence;
2. Programme efficiency;
3. Reduced duplication;
4. Evidence-based decisions;
5. Policy harmonisation;
6. Uptake of scientific insights;
7. Knowledge circulation;
8. Collective learning;
9. Scaling of innovations;
10. Innovation ecosystems;
11. Cross-sector alliances;
12. Private-sector + Africa–Europe cooperation

Target Groups: Regional Centers of Excellence.

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.

Component Coordinator: AESA.

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: DG-JRC Directorate D (Sustainable Resources) Unit D6 (Nature Conservation and Observations).

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Biodiversity & Forest Component. 

Main Objective: The Biodiversity & Forest Component of the ArcX programme focuses on the sustainable management of biodiversity, forests, protected areas, and ecosystems across Africa. Its goal is to maintain ecosystem services essential for the well-being of local populations.

Specific Objectives:

1. Establish Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) as reference points for biodiversity data to inform policies;
2. Develop indicators and information systems to monitor the EU-supported NaturAfrica initiative;
3. Enhance cross-sectoral and cross-regional coordination among stakeholders to address challenges in Science, Technology, and Innovations (STI) for Africa’s green transition;
4. Focus on metrics for decision-making, effective management of protected areas, development of forest information systems, and supporting national conservation efforts and global reporting (e.g., NBSAPs).

Starting Year: 2024
Implementation Duration: 48-54 months

Areas of Impact:

1. Data Collection and Sharing: Harmonising and making biodiversity, forestry, and ecosystem data accessible through open-source systems;
2. Scientific and Policy Support: Delivering scientific and policy analyses to improve regional decision-making;
3. Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional and human capacities for better coordination among biodiversity stakeholders;
4. Global Engagement: Collaborating with continental and global institutions like the CBD to sustain biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.

Target Groups: Continental bodies, research institutions, academia, civil society, private sector, local communities, and all African citizens.

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.

Intermediary Organisations: Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: JRC Unit D6 (Nature Conservation and Observations).

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Water Component. 

Main Objective: Strengthen water governance and resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa through research, capacity building, and inclusive solutions for sustainable water resource management and equitable access to WASH services.

Specific Objectives:

1. Conduct research on climate, hydrology, and the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus;
2. Provide science-based recommendations for water management and environmental risk reduction;
3. Develop human capacity through training and mobility programmes for young professionals.

Starting Year: 2024
Implementation Duration: 48 months

Areas of Impact:

1. Hydrology and Climate: Studies on surface and groundwater under changing climatic conditions;
2. Water Management: Policy and decision-support for transboundary basin management;
3. WEFE Nexus: Cross-sectoral linkages among water, energy, food, and ecosystems;
4. WASH: Equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services with gender-sensitive delivery mechanisms.

Target Groups: AUDA-NEPAD Networks of Water Centres of Excellence, regional organisations, river basin authorities, policy stakeholders, service providers, young professionals, and end-users.

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.

Intermediary Organisation: University of Stellenbosch.

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: JRC Unit D2 (Ocean & Water).

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Agroecology Component. 

Main Objective: Strengthen Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs) in agroecology across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate the transition towards productive, resilient, and sustainable food systems by integrating agroecological principles with scientific and local knowledge.

Specific Objectives:

1. Strengthen the scientific, technological, and institutional capacities of sub-regional organisations (SROs) and RMRNs/RCoEs in agroecology;
2. Enhance the contribution of RMRNs/RCoEs to transformative, high-quality agroecological research;
3. Improve cross-sectoral and inter-regional coordination to tackle science, technology, and innovation challenges in Africa’s green transition.

Starting Year: 2024-25
Implementation Duration: 38–46 months

Areas of Impact:

1. Data collection & sharing: Document and disseminate agroecological practices through open-source platforms;
2. Decision-support: Produce scientific and policy analyses for informed strategic planning;
3. Capacity development: Deliver targeted training and strengthen professional networks;
4. Innovation support: Develop and scale up innovative agroecological solutions;
5. Global engagement: Integrate African agroecology into international frameworks and global fora.

Target Groups: Scientific community (economists, agronomists, food-system experts, etc.), data and information managers, international organisations, private sector, universities, local communities, regional economic communities, continental bodies, African farmers, and citizens.

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and the ArcX Partnership Map.

Intermediary Organisations: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: DG-JRC Directorate D (Sustainable Resources) Unit D5 (Food Security) and Unit D4 (Economics of the Food System).

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Ocean Component. 

Main Objective: To strengthen ocean forecasting capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa to promote the sustainability of ocean resources and human well-being.

Specific Objectives:

1. Strengthen African capacities for ocean monitoring and forecasting at different levels;
2. Develop regional autonomy through African Regional Centres of Excellence for the local use of ocean data and forecasts;
3. Create appropriate digital tools for coastal risk management, the development of sustainable blue economies and the preservation of marine ecosystems;
4. Raise awareness among policy makers of innovative tools for coastal and ocean management;
5. Expand the African ocean forecasting community and encourage regional and international cooperation.

Starting Year: 2025
Implementation Duration: 48 months

Areas of Impact:

1. Policy support and long-term commitment;
2. Development of new services for disaster risk reduction, the blue economy and marine conservation;
3. Capacity sharing and transfer of knowledge and technology;
4. Strengthening ocean monitoring and forecasting capabilities;
5. Community building and cooperation between Africa, Europe and the global community.

Target Groups: African governments and decision-makers.; Regional centres of excellence and scientific institutions.; Local and regional authorities involved in coastal management and risk reduction.; Blue economy stakeholders (fishing, aquaculture, maritime transport, offshore energy, etc.).; Civil society (coastal communities, NGOs, citizen scientists).

ArcX Partners: See ArcX Partners card and ArcX Partnership Map.

Component Coordinator: Mercator Ocean International, as coordinator of the OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Centre.

Title: Africa Regional Centres of Excellence - ArcX: Climate Change Resilience.

Main Objective: Strengthen the climate change and disaster resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, by improving scientific and technological capacities of the Regional Centers of Excellence, their co-ordination and capacity to contribute to policy and decision making.

Starting Year: 2026
Implementation Duration: 48 Months

Areas of Impact: Still to be defined

Target Groups: Still to be defined

ArcX Partners: Still to be defined

Component Coordinator: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) - pending contract signature.

Scientific and Technical Support from EC - DG JRC: JRC Unit D6 (Nature Conservation and Observations); JRC Unit E1 (Disaster Risk Management).