Annual Report 2019-2020

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the IGC. Our country teams have adapted to maintain their responsiveness to policymakers, our researchers have adapted to answer new urgent questions and work around travel restrictions, and our London staff have navigated the management of projects, events, communications and changing budgets while working remotely.

As the scale of the pandemic became clear in late March 2020, the IGC undertook a major strategic pivot, with the overriding priority of supporting developing country governments in their COVID-19 response, in our partner countries and more broadly. Despite the profound nature of this crisis, the IGC demonstrated its ability to respond swiftly and effectively, ensuring business continuity during uncertain times and continuing to undertake research-driven policy engagements through our country programmes and flexible engagements.

Thanks to support from FCDO and other funders, the IGC commissioned a significant amount of research across its four themes and recorded an impressive volume of activity and impact. A total of 175 ‘impact cases’ were achieved – projects that have significantly impacted policy discussions and/or decisions. Among these projects, 37 resulted in substantive policy change.