In PLUS research, people are our focus. Are you curious to know more about how this happens? PLUS researchers share their first-hand narratives about the societal relevance and impact of their research.
Capacity building gives us the opportunity to share and expand our knowledge and ideas with like-minded people who work in professional practise or academia. It is a vital link to achieve societal impact and enhance the inclusiveness of interventions. In one project, we facilitated research on problems of access to, or ownership of land by women – caused by cultural discrimination. Outcomes were presented to men at a community meeting in Uganda, who were then saddened at what their wives reported. The impact was that since then, the men accepted to have names of their wives appear on certificates of land ownership. Due to this study, women are at a stronger position in decision making on land matters and have a stronger legal position in case of divorce. The outcome of another project enabled the citizens to take responsibility for their land information and understand the value for each activity on their land, fostering certain rights on land for all.
Also, in some of our projects, we contribute to more long-term strategic policymaking and spatial planning, where the effects may be less visible early on, but lead to long-lasting inclusive effects.