Since 2000, the SDC Gender Unit is using the research products and databank provided by BRIDGE as well as the right to a certain number of work days for specific research for SDC, both important services for the work of the SDC Gender Unit. In addition, BRIDGE is maintaining a network of highly qualified researchers around the globe which fits into the new policy of the Governance Division.
The project aims at providing the SDC Gender Unit with the expertise and information by BRIDGE in order to enhance the SDC Gender Unit's capacity to mainstream gender in SDC's undertakings. The specific objective of the project is to provide SDC and its partners with the written and electronic documentation necessary to anchor gender effectively as a transversal theme in policies, programmes, projects, and instruments.
BRIDGE was set up in 1992 as gender and development research and information service within the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) UK. The 2002-3 Gender Knowledge Programme further established BRIDGE as a centre for quality gender knowledge. BRIDGE supports gender mainstreaming efforts of policy makers and practitioners by bridging the gaps between theory, policy and practice with accessible and diverse gender information. The proposed new programme builds on the success of the core programme with additional features to meet newly identified needs. BRIDGE publications are free to Southern-based and CEE/CIS organisations to ensure a maximum access to BRIDGE materials.
Main products by BRIDGE are the Cutting Edge Packs on current global priority gender related topics, the Gender & Development In Brief series, reports and bibliographies on various gender related issues, inputs to partners on specific topics through the BRIDGE Funder Helpdesk, and the Siyanda databank.
Bridge will continue to be guided by the International Advisory Committee (IAC). The discussions on the publication of new Cutting Edge Packs, the program or specific questions to Gender are held by weekly e-mail discussion. SDC is a member of IAC. Other members are MACMAG Lebanon, Women's Center Albania, APC Malaysia, KRYSS Philippines, and APC Philippines, DFID UK, Embassy of Denmark Uganda, SIDA Sweden, APC South Africa, Women and Media Collective Sri Lanka, Helena Balmori Mexico, SYNFEV, Senegal, Athalia Molokomme, Botswana. The IAC has access to all evaluation reports.
BRIDGE is seeking commitments of about £ 50'000.- to £ 60'000.- annually over a three-year period. A basket funding approach is being used (donor agencies contribute to a common pool to finance an agreed program) with a three-year horizon.
SDC has supported the Gender Knowledge Programme since 2000 with a total amount of CHF 720'000.- Towards the end of the present phase in 2009, the SDC Gender Unit will decide on the continuation of its financial support to the BRIDGE Gender Knowledge Programme.
The SDC Gender Unit ensures the promotion of a balanced development of women and men in SDC policies, programmes and projects. The two basic directions of impact are the institutionalisation of gender and advice/support of SDC programmes and projects. In order to carry out its mandate competently and professionally, the Gender Unit needs to have easy and rapid access to theoretical and conceptual resources reflecting current international research tendencies. It also needs to be informed about the policies and reflections of other donors and organisations as well as to be familiar with their experiences and best practices.
Since 2000, the SDC Gender Unit is using the research products and data bank provided by BRIDGE, but also the right to a certain number of work days for specific research for SDC. The research papers and the databank which BRIDGE is providing as well as the research days which BRIDGE is offering specifically to SDC are useful and important for the work of the SDC Gender Unit. BRIDGE is maintaining a network of highly qualified researchers around the globe. In the context of concentration on efficient gender research networks by the SDC Gender Unit, BRIDGE can play an important role as provider of information and human capacity.
