ZONE: Namibian institutions urged to tap into EU research funding opportunities

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Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 3 Days Ago

The University of Namibia (UNAM), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the European Union (EU), EURAXESS Africa and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), hosted a hybrid information and coaching session aimed at improving access to European research and education funding opportunities.

The session focused on Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, attracting about 200 participants from Namibia and elsewhere in Africa.

The programmes support research and innovation, higher education development, academic mobility, skills training, institutional capacity building and international collaboration. They also address global priorities including climate change, renewable energy, food security, digital transformation and sustainable development.

Horizon Europe was highlighted as a significant opportunity for Namibian researchers to access international funding and participate in large multinational research projects. The programme supports collaboration in fields such as green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and climate resilience.

Opening the session, MEIYSAC Deputy Executive Director for Higher Education, Training, Research and Innovation, Lisho Mundia, said Namibia needed to take a more active role in global research networks.

“We must move past being passive participants in global frameworks. Namibia must be a proactive, competitive partner,” he said.

Mundia said international research funding was essential for strengthening Namibia’s research capacity and enhancing the quality and global visibility of its institutions. He added that such funding helped ensure local research contributes to global knowledge while addressing national development priorities.

“These opportunities enhance institutional development, improve research outputs and ensure Namibian institutions contribute meaningfully to global scientific knowledge,” he said.

European Union Deputy Head of Delegation and Chargé d’Affaires in Namibia, Ian Dupont, encouraged greater participation by Namibian institutions in EU-funded programmes. “These programmes are open to you, they need your expertise, and we want to see many more applications from Namibia and from Africa,” he said.

Dupont urged institutions to build strong international partnerships, engage with collaborators at an early stage and participate in research consortia. He also encouraged researchers to make use of EU funding portals, national focal points and successful project models.

The workshop highlighted the role of EU funding in supporting Namibia’s green transition and digital transformation through research in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and digital innovation.

Participants were also introduced to the SHINE Project, which promotes the internationalisation of higher education in Namibia and aims to improve graduate employability and institutional capacity through international collaboration.