Academy Development Initiative (ADI) 2025 webinar on ‘Tenets of Good Strategic Plan’

The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) organized the first quarterly webinar of the 2025 Academy Development Initiative (ADI). The webinar was held on 13 June 2025 on the topic “Tenets of a Good Strategic Plan,” and was attended by 26 participants from the national science academies. The webinar aimed to provide valuable insights into the principles and frameworks of a strategic plan, its implementation and evaluation, and its role as a fundraising tool.

The main speaker for the session was Mr. Jaume Fortuny, Senior Project Manager from OBREAL Spain. Mr. Fortuny outlined the key components of a good strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of clarity, alignment with organizational goals, and adaptability to changing circumstances. He highlighted the need for a well-defined vision, mission, and objectives to guide the planning process.

Additionally, Mr. Fortuny shared practical tools and approaches for monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and making necessary adjustments during implementation. He emphasized that regular reviews and transparent communication are important to sustaining momentum and achieving desired results. Moreover, he introduced the concept of using strategic plans as fundraising tools, explaining how well-articulated plans can attract donors and partners by demonstrating credibility, vision, and impact potential. Participants actively contributed to the discussion by asking questions and sharing their experiences related to strategic planning within their national science academies.

In conclusion, the event highlighted the critical role of strategic plans not only as a tool to drive transformative changes within the science academies but also as a fundraising tool to ensure financial sustainability. NASAC through the ADI remains committed to supporting science academies in becoming more influential and impactful to relevant stakeholders not only in the continent but also globally. The next ADI 2025 webinar will take place on 12th June 2025, focusing on “Enhancing Visibility for Stakeholder Engagement.” We look forward to continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing as we work together to strengthen science academies across Africa.